PARTI Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) chief whip Ronald Kiandee has called on Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul to ensure that by-elections are held within 21 days of receiving a vacancy notice.

Kiandee said the notice regarding the unexpected vacancies involving six lawmakers from Bersatu, whose memberships have been terminated, has been submitted to and received by the Speaker’s office today.

“Therefore, according to paragraph 3 of Article 49A of the Federal Constitution, the Speaker of the House of Representatives must ensure that any unforeseen vacancy is filled within 21 days after the notice is received.

“This has also been clarified by the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Azhar Azizan Harun,” he said in a statement today.

Kiandee said the notices regarding Jeli, Gua Musang, Bukit Gantang, Kuala Kangsar, Tanjong Karang, and Labuan, which were sent yesterday, must be respected, especially since Section 18C of the Societies Act stipulates that any decision of a political party “is final and conclusive.”

Kiandee also said the declaration by the Kelantan State Assembly’s Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah on the vacancy of the Nenggiri state assembly seat, in accordance with the Kelantan State Constitution and in line with the Federal Constitution, should be noted.

It was recently reported that Bersatu had revoked the membership of six of its lawmakers with immediate effect and that notices had been issued to the said members informing them of their expulsion.

Party secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin said the notices were sent according to the directive issued by Bersatu’s supreme council, which convened on June 7, 2024.

The six MPs had failed to respond to a written instruction from the party’s supreme leadership council to pledge allegiance to the party.

The MPs are Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Azizi, Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Zulkafperi Hanafi (Tanjong Karang) and Suhaili Abdul Rahma (Labuan). – June 20, 2024.