Zahid rebuffs GPS' claims, reminds BN MPs of their pledge to him

BN chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi dismissed GPS’ claim that the two coalitions would join Perikatan Nasional (PN) and its Sabah counterpart, GRS, to form a government.

At the same time, Zahid - who is under pressure to quit - reminded BN MPs that they had signed a pledge giving him the mandate to determine any political cooperation to form a government.

In a statement posted on BN’s Facebook page, the coalition chief said he had never negotiated with GPS or PN to form a government.

This comes after GPS chief Abang Johari Openg said BN would be among the partners of the PN-led government.

PN chief Muhyiddin Yassin, on the other hand, conspicuously left out BN from his statement announcing he had enough support to become prime minister again.

However, Muhyiddin said there are "several MPs" who supported him.

Violation of party’s orders

In an apparent effort to stop BN MPs from backing PN, Zahid stressed there would be consequences for those who defied their pledge to him.

“Any (BN) MPs who violate the party’s orders will result in them forfeiting party membership, as well as their parliamentary seats,” he said citing the anti-hopping law.

Under the anti-hopping law, an MP who quits or resigns from their party forfeits their seat.

However, unlike DAP and Amanah, Umno's party rules do not compel rogue MPs who go against party decisions to "resign" - thus, triggering the anti-hopping law.

Hence, it is possible for Umno MPs to go against the party position without worrying about losing their seats.

Whether the pledge by BN MPs could result in them forfeiting their seats under the anti-hopping law would likely have to be resolved in court.

Zahid's faction had been the key force behind early elections - believing they could replicate results from the Malacca and Johor state elections where poor turnout had enabled BN to capture two-thirds majorities despite receiving less than 50 percent of the votes.

However, this plan backfired terribly - with a high turnout giving Pakatan Harapan and PN strong parliamentary majorities.

BN ended up with just 30 seats - 12 less than before the election.

Zahid himself almost lost in Bagan Datuk, winning with just a slim 348 vote-majority.

Speculation is rife that the Umno president is trying to align BN with Harapan - which has 82 seats - in order to form a government.

However, BN's poorest election performance ever has led to immense pressure for Zahid to resign instead.

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