Bersatu Demands Labuan Seat Be Vacated After Court Dismisses Mp S Suit

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 Its chief whip Ronald Kiandee says is it clear that the justification previously cited by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul is no longer relevant or applicable.
Bersatu chief whip Ronald Kiandee (left) said Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul had to uphold and honour the Federal Constitution by declaring the Labuan parliamentary seat vacant.PETALING JAYA: Bersatu chief whip Ronald Kiandee has submitted a letter to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul demanding that he declare the Labuan parliamentary seat vacant
In a statement, Kiandee said Johari should declare the seat vacant after the Shah Alam High Court struck out a lawsuit brought by Labuan MP Suhaili Abdul Rahman seeking a declaration that his expulsion from Bersatu last year was invalid and illegal.
“It is now clear that the justification previously cited by the speaker (Johari) for not declaring the Labuan seat vacant – and for rejecting my earlier request in a letter dated July 9, 2024 – is no longer relevant or applicable,” said Kiandee.
“Therefore, the speaker has no other option but to uphold and honour the Federal Constitution by declaring the Labuan parliamentary seat vacant, thereby enabling the Election Commission (EC) to set the process in motion for a by-election to be held promptly.
Suhaili is among six MPs whose Bersatu membership was terminated last June after they declared support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The others are Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli) and Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar).
Under Article 49(A) of the Federal Constitution, also known as the anti-hopping law, MPs cease to be members of the Dewan Rakyat and their seats become vacant if they, having been elected as members of a political party, resign or cease to be members of that party.
However, MPs get to keep their seats if they are sacked by their party.
Johari had earlier declined to declare the seats vacant. - FMT

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