Hamzah Zainudin Facebook picture.
PETALING JAYA: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) has decided on the fate of its seven “rebel” elected representatives, says Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.
The Bersatu secretary-general said the decision was made during the party’s supreme leadership council meeting on Friday (June 7), chaired by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
However, no further details were provided on what the decision was.
“The status of the seven elected representatives who defected has been decided and the secretary-general has been instructed to take subsequent action,” Hamzah said.
Bersatu had previously issued a notice to the seven (six MPs and a Selangor assemblyman) with instructions to uphold party loyalty, support its policies and not pledge allegiance to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s administration.
One of the seven “rebels”, Gua Musang MP Azizi Abu Naim said they were waiting for a response from the party on the legitimacy of the loyalty notices sent to them, which is why they did not respond before the May 31 deadline.
Bersatu later declared the seven were no longer party members as they had failed to reply before the deadline.
Aside from Azizi, the other six are Syed Abu Hussin Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), Zulkafperi Hanafi (Tanjong Karang) and Selat Klang assemblyman Rashid Asari.
Meanwhile, the Bersatu supreme council, in its meeting on Friday, also reaffirmed that Muhyiddin will remain the president through the upcoming party elections.
This is in line with the decision made during the party’s annual general assembly last year in November, said Hamzah.
“Bersatu will also abide by the party constitution for the election of other positions,” he said.
The supreme council also discussed current issues involving the country in the meeting, he added.
At the same time, Hamzah said Bersatu’s annual general assembly this year is set to take place from Nov 30 to Dec 1.
