House in order: Several Opposition MPs seen attending the Dewan Rakyat proceedings at the Parliament Building. — Bernama
THE six rogue Bersatu MPs who expressed support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim remain seated in the Opposition bloc in the Dewan Rakyat despite their party membership having ceased.
According to the latest seating arrangement posted on the official Parliament website, the lawmakers remain in the Opposition bloc, at Block E.
The six – Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul (Bukit Gantang), Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar) and Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanafi (Tanjong Karang) – are seated together in the same area as Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.
Within the same area of Block E sit 23 Perikatan Nasional MPs – some a few rows in front of the rogue group.
On June 20, Bersatu parliamentary whip Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee said the Speaker’s Office had received a notice on the status of the Jeli, Gua Musang, Bukit Gantang, Kuala Kangsar, Tanjong Karang and Labuan seats, which had allegedly fallen vacant.
Under Article 49A of the Federal Constitution, the Speaker has 21 days from the date of receipt of the notice to decide if a “casual vacancy” has occurred.
Bersatu had earlier announced that its six rogue MPs and a Selangor state lawmaker are no longer members after they failed to respond to special letters requiring them to pledge their loyalty to the party by May 31.
On June 19, the Nenggiri seat held by Mohd Azizi was declared vacant by Kelantan assembly speaker Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah after the former ceased to be a Bersatu member.
On June 21, Selangor Opposition leader Datuk Seri Azmin Ali sent a letter confirming that Selat Kelang assemblyman Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari has ceased to be a Bersatu member and requested that the state assembly speaker declare the seat vacant.
When met by reporters, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul said he would respond to the notice on the unexpected vacancies of six parliamentary seats within 21 days.
Johari also confirmed having received the notice submitted by Kiandee.
“I received the notice from the Beluran MP on June 21 and according to the law, I have 21 days to study the matter.
“Once I have all the answers, I will call you guys (reporters).”
Anwar had previously said that the Dewan Rakyat Speaker should be allowed to decide on the vacancies of the six parliamentary seats held by rogue Bersatu members.
