Speaker will decide where we sit in Dewan, say ex-Bersatu MPs

• UPDATED 3.31PM | Added more comments from Labuan MP Suhaili.

Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul will decide where the six former Bersatu MPs who pledged support to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will sit in the august house, said the rebel group today.

Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Independent–Labuan), who is one of the six turncoat MPs, said their “fate lies in the hands of the speaker”.

“Independent or not, these are the decisions of the speaker. It was Perikatan Nasional, from the opposition bloc, that turned our status to independent MPs.

“Where we sit (in the Dewan Rakyat), God willing, will be determined by the speaker.

“It is also clear that we took an oath as MPs in front of the speaker of the Dewan Rakyat and not the Bersatu president (Muhyiddin Yassin),” he told a press conference in Parliament today.

In justifying his decision to reject Bersatu’s ouster bid, Johari had in his letter argued that the MPs were still sitting in the opposition bloc, hence there was no need to return the seats to the opposition.

The six MPs previously declared support for the prime minister, in defiance of the party’s stance as the opposition.

Aside from Suhaili, the other five are Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar) and Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang).

‘Big deal’

Suhaili today clarified that the six MPs were still seated at their “usual seats”, saying it wasn’t awkward at all to be seated with their former party colleagues.

“It may be a big deal for them (to be seated together) but not for us. 

“We are seated here in the Dewan Rakyat because the people voted for us, not because of the Bersatu president.

“What do we prioritise more? Them (other Bersatu MPs) or our constituents? Of course, it’s our constituents,” he said.

Meanwhile, Suhaili asserted that all six of them will continue to serve their respective constituencies as independent parliamentarians.

“Article 49(A) of the Federal Constitution is clear, we cannot join another party as it will trigger that article.

“We were fighting for allocation for us to serve the people and help those in our constituencies. That is all,” he added.

Asked if other opposition lawmakers will follow in their footsteps to declare support for Anwar and his administration, Suhaili said he wasn’t in the position to comment as he has no intentions of bringing chaos to the Dewan Rakyat. 

“They are in the opposition and do not have allocation, but they are howling and shouting asking for allocations.

“Why didn’t they follow us in the first place? We wanted MP allocation, that’s it. Loud and clear,” he said.

Anwar's the one who doesn't understand Constitution: Muhyiddin

PM says it's Bersatu's fault six MPs kept their seats

COMMENT | Was the speaker's decision constitutional?

What's the point of anti-hopping law, dejected Tuan Ibrahim asks

Speaker's decision on turncoat reps can backfire on govt, Shahrir says