Another Bersatu MP backs Anwar

Jeli MP Zahari Kechik has become the fourth Bersatu lawmaker to pledge his support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership, citing the wellbeing of his constituents.

“I realise the people must be prioritised and development must proceed without compromise.

“In this challenging era, I have to provide the best of service to the people as the Jeli MP,” he said in a statement this evening.

Zahari (above), who clarified there was no coercion or pressure to support Anwar, said he would remain loyal and committed to Bersatu.

He is the fourth Bersatu MP to do so in the last two weeks, following Kuala Kangsar MP Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid, Labuan MP Suhaili Abdul Rahman, and Gua Musang MP Mohd Azizi Abu Naim, all of whom also cited constituency issues as a key reason for their decision.

Bersatu secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin already announced this week that both Iskandar and Suhaili had been suspended from the party, for four years and six years, respectively, by the party’s disciplinary board.

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The duo were also relieved of their party posts.

The support of the four Bersatu MPs brings the number of MPs aligned to Anwar in Parliament to 150, three more than a two-thirds majority.

‘Govt abusing position, act of corruption’

Meanwhile, Arau MP Shahidan Kassim said in the Dewan Rakyat that he wants the Parliament to discuss the issue of opposition MPs aligning their support to the government.

Accusing the government of abusing its position to entice Perikatan Nasional representatives, he said the matter is urgent as the people want to know what is going on.

Shahidan cited Standing Order 18(1) to ask leave for the Dewan Rakyat to discuss this issue.

“There have been several MPs from this side (opposition) who now support the other side after being enticed with allocation (for their constituency).

“This is an abuse of the government position and an act of corruption.

“I ask that this matter be discussed here, as it is a specific matter that involves public interest, and the rakyat wants to know what is happening,” he said.

His suggestion was received with jeers from several government MPs, including Chong Zhemin (Pakatan Harapan-Kampar) who said Shahidan should hold the discussion within his party.

Deputy Dewan Rakyat speaker Ramli Mohd Nor then told Shahidan to submit a motion to the Dewan Rakyat.

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