JELI MP Zahari Kechik has become the fourth lawmaker from Bersatu to pledge support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government.

Drawing from colleagues who have made a similar move, Zahari said he wants to prioritise the people’s needs so his constituency does not fall behind in development. 

“I am aware that the people’s needs must be prioritised and development must continue without any compromise.

“In these challenging times, as a lawmaker I have to provide the best service for Jeli constituents,” he said in a statement today.

Zahari said his support for government policies to revive the economy will continue until the next general election.

The three Bersatu MPs who took similar stance were Kuala Kangsar MP Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid on October 12, followed by Labuan MP Suhaili Abdul Rahman on October 30, and Gua Musang MP Mohd Azizi Abu Naim, yesterday.

Just like the three elected representatives, Zahari also announced that he is loyal to Bersatu and would not leave the party.

He similarly said his decision was made “without coercion, influence and pressure” but voluntarily for the sake of the people.

Zahari also said he is ready to face any party disciplinary action, which has been taken against Iskandar and Suhaili.

He said he took risks to ensure that the people in Jeli do not become victims of the current economic situation and do not miss out on development and assistance from the federal government. 

Last week, the Bersatu disciplinary board suspended Iskandar from the party for four years while Suhaili was suspended for six years.

In the last general election, Zahari won 63% of the votes, defeating candidates from Barisan Nasional, Pakatan Harapan, and Pejuang with a majority of 12,464 votes. – November 8, 2023.