KUALA NERUS: Umno has shot down Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia's (Bersatu) claim that the unity government's fear of defeat was behind the decision to maintain the status of seats belonging to six 'rebel' Bersatu members of parliament.
Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said fear was not an element in politics, and that Umno was ready to contest if by-elections were declared in the six parliamentary seats.
However, he said it is up to the respective quarters to escalate the issue to the next level.
"It's not about fear of defeat. These six seats were previously Umno's. Even if these seats were vacated, Umno will contest.
"There's no concept of fear in politics. I see the decision made by the Dewan Rakyat Speaker (Tan Sri Johari Abdul) on the six MPs - who lost their memberships after declaring support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim - as in accordance with Article 49 of the Federal Constitution.
"Some among them (the six MPs) may even decide to present evidence. We will leave it to these quarters to bring it to court," he said.
Zahid was speaking to reporters after officiating the Kuala Nerus Umno division meeting here today.
Previously, Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had claimed that the six MPs seats were not declared vacant as the federal unity government was afraid of defeat.
Muhyiddin had claimed that the government was willing to even go against the anti-hopping law which it had championed.
Meanwhile, Zahid, when asked if the Dewan Rakyat Speaker's decision could prompt government MPs to do the same (change their allegiance), he replied in the negative.
No Barisan Nasional politicians, he said, would defect.
"Insya Allah (God willing), that would not happen. The opposition may give plenty of political reasons but god willing, this won't take place."