Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin. -NSTP/SADIQ SANI
Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin. -NSTP/SADIQ SANI

KUALA LUMPUR: The Bersatu supreme leadership council has finalised the status of its seven party defectors, says secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin.

He said he had been directed to take follow-up action on the matter.

"The status of the seven representatives who defected has also been decided, and the Supreme Leadership Council has directed the secretary-general to take follow-up action," he said following the council's meeting yesterday.

The defectors comprise six members of parliament – Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang); Zahari Kechik (Jeli); Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang); Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan) and Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanafi (Tanjong Karang).

One assemblyman who declared support for Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amiruddin Shaari is Selat Klang's Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari.

Last week, Bersatu vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee said the membership of its elected representatives, who declared their support for the unity government, had automatically ceased.

He said this was because the six MPs and one assemblyman had failed to adhere to the party's directive to sign a letter of allegiance.

Bersatu, he said, would be sending a notice to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul to notify him of its MP's violation of the party's directive and the vacancy of their seats.

However, Johari yesterday said he had yet to receive any official notice from any party. He added that he needed time to examine all matters carefully, especially involving laws relating to the Anti-Party Hopping Act passed in 2022, before making any decision.