AMANAH today passed a motion to amend its constitution so that any lawmaker opposing the decisions of the party or whip will be automatically expelled.

The motion received the approval of the majority of the delegates attending the party’s national convention in Seremban today.

Federal Territories Amanah vice chairman Ahmad Zamri As’ad Khuzaimi said the amendment can be made by including clause 6.3, in Amanah’s constitution.

“... they (members who violate the party’s decision) have also acted as giving up their membership from the party as provided for in article 49A(1)(a)(i) of the Federal Constitution and are also no longer considered members of the party as provided in article 49A (1)(a)(ii) of the Federal Constitution,” he said when proposing the motion.

It was among four motions accepted to be debated at this convention, with the others on the increase in the prices of basic goods, the right of Malaysian citizens to pass on citizenship to children born abroad and the Malay-Muslim struggle for a vision of a dignified Malay Muslim community.

Zamri said the motion was in line with the Constitution (Amendment) Bill (No. 3) 2022 passed by the Dewan Rakyat in July.

“During the winding up session by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, he gave an explanation to the question from Anthony Loke that if any party member who is also an MP violates his party’s decision, disobeys the Whip’s instructions, then his membership as an MP will not be affected unless there is a provision in the party’s constitution stating that he will lose his membership if he does so.

“Meaning the MP can support any motion or action either in support of the government or the opposition, and his action will not disqualify his membership (from his party) unless he party hops.

“Thus, an amendment to Amanah’s constitution needs to be made to give a clear definition to the matter and for the purpose of streamlining with the amendment of article 49A of the Federal Constitution,” he said.

Amanah communications director Khalid Samad said the party needs to make the change so that if any of its MPs or assemblymen violate the party’s decisions, they can be considered to have jumped ship.

In addition, the convention this time also accepted 14 other motions without debate including the motion of the opposition coalition to face the next general election and bring on board opposition parties who agree with PH’s policies under the ‘big tent’ concept.

A proposal to use the PH logo for the polls was also accepted. – Bernama, September 18, 2022.