FORMER Johor menteri besar Osman Sapian remains a Bersatu member, but will have to explain why he supported an independent candidate during the recent Slim by-election, the party’s disciplinary committee chief said.

Megat Najmuddin Megat Khas confirmed Osman’s party membership when clarifying an earlier report the latter had automatically lost his membership for supporting the opposition.

“The report is not correct. What I said was that if he did indeed do those things, action will be taken, but as of now he has denied it so we need to call him (to explain).

“Osman had not been sacked,” Megat told The Malaysian Insight.

He also said the Bersatu disciplinary board had yet to receive any formal report and evidence about Osman’s actions, adding that complaints against him had only been posted on social media.

“A proper report must also be accompanied by evidence. If it is true he did those things, we will have to take action.”

Earlier, Megat was reported saying by Malaysiakini that under the party’s constitution, Osman’s membership would have been automatically revoked because of his actions, without any need to refer him to the disciplinary board.

Osman’s removal from the party places the Johor government at risk as the Umno-led Perikatan Nasional state government only enjoys a single-seat majority now. 

Until Osman’s sacking, Johor PN had a two-seat majority in the assembly with 29 seats while Pakatan Harapan had 27 seats. 

Osman, who is also Kempas state rep, could now join Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s yet-to-be registered Pejuang party. 

During the Slim by-election, Osman had endorsed the Pejuang candidate, Amir Khusyairi Mohamad Tanusi, who contested as an independent and also helped his campaign.

In an interview with Sinar Harian recently, Osman said his actions during the by-election were for the sake of Bersatu’s dignity, which appeared to be belittled by Umno. – September 4, 2020.