PETALING JAYA: Bersatu has got the nod from the Registrar of Societies (ROS) to amend its constitution, which would allow it to revoke the membership of its MPs and state assemblymen who go against the party’s stand.
The approval from ROS came about following Bersatu’s application three weeks ago, in which it sought to amend its constitution regarding the revocation of the membership of elected representatives who support other parties.
A letter from ROS dated April 2, which was addressed to Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin and sighted by The Star, said the amendments came into effect on April 1.
However, it was not stated whether the amendments would be retrospective in nature.
As such, it is unlikely that by-elections would be triggered.
On March 11, Hamzah and Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin submitted the amendments to the ROS.
This came about after the party’s special general assembly on March 2 in which it agreed to amend the party constitution to automatically revoke the membership of MPs and state assemblymen who backed other parties.
The call to have such changes was in view of the move by six Bersatu MPs who declared their support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim last year.
They are Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Datuk Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar) and Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan).
On March 7, Bersatu’s Selat Klang assemblyman Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari pledged his support for Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
The ROS letter, which was signed by the ROS director-general Datuk Mohd Zulfikar Ahmad, also reminded Bersatu to comply with Section 11 of the Societies Act should the party plan on making other amendments in the future.
Section 11 stipulates that all registered societies can only change their name, place of business, or amend their rules, with the prior approval of the registrar.
In a statement, Hamzah said Bersatu will carry out follow-up steps to ensure any action after this will be implemented in accordance with the constitution and the law.
“Bersatu expresses its appreciation to the ROS for allowing the party to amend its constitution, which was agreed upon during Bersatu’s EGM on March 2.
“We will also work to strengthen our party and God willing, Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional will remain to be the choice of the rakyat,” he added.
