The four former Bersatu MPs (from left) Armizan Ali, Khairul Firdaus Akhbar Khan, Jonathan Yasin and Matbali Musah.
PETALING JAYA: Bersatu says four of its former MPs in the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah have vacated their seats.
It said it has sent a “notice” to the Dewan Rakyat Speaker informing him that there are “casual vacancies” involving the MPs, who contested the general election as Bersatu members.
The four MPs – Armizan Ali (Papar), Khairul Firdaus Akhbar Khan (Batu Sapi), Jonathan Yasin (Ranau) and Matbali Musah (Sipitang) – had said earlier that they were leaving Bersatu to form a new party.
In a statement today, Bersatu vice-president Ronald Kiandee said the party had also requested the Speaker to notify the Election Commission of the matter within 21 days of the notice’s receipt.
He said the vacancies “will have to be filled within 60 days from the date the EC receives the notification from the Speaker”.
Kiandee said the four had sat with the government bloc during the Dec 19 Dewan Rakyat sitting.
The act of “crossing the floor”, he said, violated their election promise to the voters.
“As a result, they are no longer Bersatu members in accordance with Bersatu’s constitution, and this matter has been notified (to them) through Bersatu’s letter dated Dec 21.
“Therefore, according to Article 49A(3) of the Federal Constitution, the said Dewan Rakyat members must cease to become members of the house and their seats should be vacated.”
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