KUALA LUMPUR: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) confirmed that it has submitted notices to the Dewan Rakyat Speaker's office today on the status of its six members of Parliament, whose memberships have been revoked by the party.
Its vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee, in a statement, said the notice to inform the vacancies at the six parliamentary seats was submitted in accordance to Article 49A of the Federal Constitution.
The notices on the vacancies at the six parliamentary seats, said Kiandee, were signed by him in his capacity as the Bersatu chief whip.
"According to Article 49A, the Dewan Rakyat speaker needs to ensure that the unexpected vacancies have occurred within 21 days after receiving the notice.
"The confirmation of the unexpected vacancies must be respected, especially since Section 18C of the Societies Act stated that any decision made by a political party 'is final and conclusive.'
"In principle, I am confident that (Dewan Rakyat speaker) Tan Sri Johari (Abdul) wants to ensure the legislative body is free from the influence of partisan politics by respecting the Constitution and upholding the sovereignty of the law.
"He has no choice but to declare the six parliamentary seats vacant and subsequently inform the Election Commission to make way for a by-election," he said.
The six Bersatu members of Parliament, whose membership was revoked by the party after declaring their support for the unity government, are Bukit Gantang MP Datuk Syed Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal, Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang) and Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan) and Gua Musang's Mohd Azizi Abu Naim, who was the Nenggiri assemblyman.
The other Bersatu elected representative who had his party membership revoked was Selat Klang assemblyman Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari, after he declared his support for Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
Kiandee, in the statement, did not elaborate on if the party has submitted a notice to Selangor State Legislative Assembly Speaker Lau Weng San on Abdul Rashid's status.
He, nevertheless, said the announcement of the unexpected vacancy for the Nenggiri state seat has set a precedent and that it was the right decision made by the Kelantan State Legislative Assembly deputy speaker Datuk Seri Mohd Amar Abdullah.
It was reported that the Kelantan state assembly declared the Nenggiri seat vacant with immediate effect yesterday.
Mohd Amar said the seat was declared vacant effective today, following a notification of Azizi's termination received on June 13.
