Opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin claimed today that Bersatu has fulfilled its obligation under the anti-party hopping law to notify Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul of the status of six MPs who declared support for the government.

At a press conference in Parliament today, the Larut MP responded to Johari’s statement yesterday that the six lawmakers were still considered part of the opposition bloc, as he had not received any formal notification of their status.

“Under the anti-hopping law, the secretary-general of a party must send a letter to the speaker to inform and report (on defections).

“That is why I am puzzled when he (Johari) said no one has (formally) informed him,” said Hamzah (above, middle), who is the Bersatu deputy president and its former secretary-general.

The six MPs are Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), and Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang). They have since been sacked from the party.

Yesterday, Johari said the six had not written to request their removal from the opposition bloc, and as such, he still considers them opposition representatives.

During the press conference, Hamzah also repeated a jibe originally made by Hulu Terengganu MP Rosol Wahid, referring to the six MPs as “mamba”.

He explained that the term was used to describe individuals who were not firmly supportive or opposed to matters raised in the Dewan Rakyat.

“I want to inform the six MPs – all of you will never again be (election) candidates.

“The other side (government) doesn’t want you, and this side (opposition) - sorry to say - 100 percent you will not be our candidate, because like Hulu Terengganu said, ‘mamba’,” he said.

Reporting by Alyaa Alhadjri, Qistina Nadia Dzulkarnain, and B Nantha Kumar

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