MACHANG: Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul’s decision to not declare vacant six seats held by former Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) members of parliament has nothing to do with the unity government, says Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
He said it was not motivated by any party, and that the Speaker’s decisions are his own.
“It is his (Johari) right as the Speaker to decide, not the government’s. Parliament is an independent institution.
“The Speaker can make his own decision based on the power he has and the institution of Parliament is not influenced by any party,” he told the press after launching the Machang Umno delegates meeting here on Friday night.
Also present was state Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub.
Khaled, who is also Defence Minister, said the Speaker had also explained his position and the basis for making the decision.
“”We need to understand clearly that it is the Speaker’s decision, with no interference from the unity government,” he said.
On Thursday, Johari announced the decision not to vacate the seats of six former Bersatu MPs after studying all matters and had informed Bersatu Chief Whip Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee, who is also Beluran MP, in a letter dated July 9.
On June 20, Bersatu submitted a notice to the Dewan Rakyat Speaker requesting that the six parliamentary seats of its representatives who previously supported the prime minister be vacated.
The notice was submitted based on the provisions of Article 49A(1)(a)(ii) of the Constitution, which states that a member of the House of Representatives shall cease to be a member of the House and his seat shall become vacant when he ceases to be a member of a political party.
The six MPs are Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Datuk Dr Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar ) and Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang).
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