KOTA BHARU: A Pas leader says Umno can win in by-elections in six parliamentary seats currently held by Bersatu rebels.

Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, the Pas information chief, said this is why the Barisan Nasional lynchpin should push for the six seats to be vacated.

"Khairy Jamaluddin (former Umno Youth chief) said if a by-election was held in the seats held by the (Bersatu) rebels, Bersatu would win them all again," he said in a Facebook post.

"I have a different take. I think Umno has a chance of winning, especially in the Parliamentary seats it lost by a small margin," he said, adding this was because Umno would get votes from Pakatan Harapan supporters.

"So Umno now has to push the Dewan Rakyat Speaker to declare these seats vacant to pave the way for by-elections."

Six Bersatu members of Parliament and one assemblyman have gone against their party and pledged support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim..

They include Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjung Karang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan) and Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang) and Selat Klang assemblyman Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari.

Previously, Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the party would take action against seven elected representatives who have declared support for Anwar.

This came after the Registrar of Societies approved an amendment to Bersatu's constitution that sees elected representatives who go against the party automatically ceasing to be a member.

Previously, Muhyiddin said this would automatically trigger a by-election.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2024/04/1038986/umno-can-win-elections-if-bersatu-rebels-seats-vacated-says-pas-man