KUALA LUMPUR: The six seats of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) rebels will not be vacated despite a notice issued by the party.
This was confirmed by Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman and Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin during a press conference held in Parliament today.
Muhyiddin said Bersatu had received a letter yesterday evening from Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul, which stated that the seat would not be vacated.
"Bersatu had received a letter late evening yesterday from the Speaker stating that there was no vacancy of seats for the six former Bersatu members under Article 49A of the Federal Constitution (FC).
"The decision made has disappointed us deeply as it contradicts with the explicit provisions of Article 49A(3) of the FC.
"The Speaker's decision to give a shallow excuse and twisted interpretation shows that he has tarnished the FC, despite having sworn to uphold and defend the constitution and laws of the country," said Muhyiddin.
He also said that Johari had acted beyond his jurisdiction in making a twisted interpretation as only the courts had the authority to interpret the FC.
He added that Bersatu's supreme council had already decided that membership of the six members had ceased and the party's interpretation of the matter is final, and cannot be challenged, appealed, reviewed or questioned.
"In this situation, it is clear that the six members are no longer Bersatu members, in line with the provisions of the Bersatu constitution."
Following this, he also said Bersatu had decided to take follow-up actions by appointing legal experts to take appropriate action to uphold the FC and the party's constitution.
"PN also wants to remind all political parties and members of parliament (MPs) that we unanimously passed the amendment to Article 49A.
"Therefore, the Speaker's action in making an interpretation that tarnishes the anti-party hopping provision must be condemned."
Regarding the Nenggiri state seat vacancy, Muhyiddin pointed out that it should establish a precedent for Dewan Rakyat, questioning why there was a discrepancy in parliamentary and state seat treatment.
"We intend to question the Speaker on this matter, and the opposition is likely to file a motion tomorrow," he said.
Bersatu vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee last month had sent a notice to Johari on the status of the six rebel MPs.
The six Bersatu members of Parliament, whose membership was revoked by the party after declaring their support for the unity government, are Bukit Gantang MP Datuk Syed Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal, Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang) and Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan) and Gua Musang's Mohd Azizi Abu Naim, who was the Nenggiri assemblyman.