PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim has defended Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul’s decision not to vacate the seats of six Bersatu MPs, saying the ruling is consistent with the law.

Anwar said Bersatu President Muhyiddin Yassin needed to read the interpretation of the Federal Constitution’s anti-hopping law in its entirety, rather than selectively.

“The constitution must be read in its entirety and not selectively, as the Bersatu leadership had done,” he told a press conference after the Global Madani Forum 2024.

He also said Bersatu had opposed the automatic forfeiture of seats for terminated members during his time in the opposition, leading to the inclusion of exceptions in the constitution.

“We wanted anyone who was terminated to automatically lose their seats, but Bersatu opposed this at the time, which is why exceptions were included,” he said.

Yesterday, parliament Speaker Johari Abdul said the six former Bersatu MPs would retain their seats.

This was confirmed by Perikatan Nasional chairman and Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin.

Muhyiddin said Bersatu received a letter from Johari stating that the seats would remain occupied.

The six MPs previously declared support for Anwar, in defiance of the party’s stance as the opposition.

“The decision deeply disappoints us as it contradicts the explicit provisions of Article 49a, Section 3 of the Federal Constitution,” said Muhyiddin.

The six MPs are Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan) and Zulkafperi Hanafi (Tanjong Karang). – July 11, 2024.