KUALA LUMPUR – Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul today told PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari that Perikatan Nasional (Pasir Mas-PN) has not officially requested Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang- PN) to vacate his seat in the opposition bloc.
This was after Fadhli attempted to stir controversy during the Parliament sitting this morning by pointing out Syed Abu Hussin, who remained seated in the opposition bloc despite declaring himself independent.
He had earlier interjected the Bukit Gantang MP, who was about to ask a supplementary question to Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu regarding the ministry’s efforts to enhance Musang King durian production for global marketing.
“It looks like ‘PN’ (Perikatan Nasional) is written next to Syed Abu Hussin’s name. He’s no longer in PN, so I don’t know how he could still be sitting there,” he asked.
Johari quickly responded: “Is there any proof that the PN requested for me to vacate (the seat)? PN has to write a letter, or else I would not know.
“Bersatu did, but PN never did, and all records (of opposition members sitting in Parliament) state they are under PN, not Bersatu or PAS.
“So please (write a letter)…your (coalition’s) secretary-general is here too,” he said before asking Syed Abu Hussin to continue.
Fadhli retorted: “So, does PN need to formally request?”
Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said that the speaker had decided not to vacate the seats of six former Bersatu members, which include Abu Hussin, Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), and Datuk Zulkafperi Hanafi (Tg Karang).
These MPs have since declared themselves independent parliamentarians.
This decision seems to have put Johari under the opposition’s scrutiny, as Muhyiddin claimed that the former’s refusal to vacate those seats violates the Anti-Party Hopping Act and that Johari is “tarnishing” the Federal Constitution.
Johari’s decision not only disappointed Bersatu but also fuelled opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin (Larut-PN) to stage a walkout on July 11.
Opposition lawmakers are also wearing white ribbons on their arms at the Dewan Rakyat sitting this week as a sign of protest against Johari’s decision. – July 17, 2024
