KUALA LUMPUR: The six Bersatu members of Parliament who have declared support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim are confident they will not lose their seats, says a source.

The source, who is close to the six MPs, said they have expressed "confidence" about their status.

This comes as Bersatu pushes for the seats of the six MPs to be vacated.

The six MPs are Datuk Syed Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Jeli MP Zahari Kechik, Kuala Kangsar MP Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid, Tanjong Karang MP Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi and Labuan MP Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman as well as Gua Musang's Mohd Azizi Abu Naim, who was also Nenggiri assemblyman.

Bersatu has sent a notice to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul on the status of the rebel MPs.

The party says the memberships of the six have ceased to be Bersatu members and as such their seats should be declared vacant and by-elections should be held.

Previously, Bersatu chief whip Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee said he signed the notice of vacancies and that the Dewan Rakyat Speaker must establish that unexpected vacancies have occurred within 21 days.

Kiandee had voiced confidence that Johari would declare the six seats vacant in wanting to ensure the rule of law was upheld.

However, the source voiced doubt that this would happen.

It is also learned that Johari has requested certain documents from Bersatu, much to the unhappiness of the party.

The source said Bersatu believes the (anti-hopping) law is clear on the matter.

"(In any case) we will have to wait on what is decided within 21 days," said the source who declined to be named.

On Monday, Johari confirmed receiving the notice on the six Bersatu MPs. He said he has 21 days to study it and will inform the media once a decision is made.

Previously, Syed Husin and Mohd Azizi were quoted as saying there was no need to vacate their seats as they never resigned from the party.

Azizi, whose Nenggiri seat was declared vacant by the Kelantan State Assembly Speaker, plans to file an injunction to challenge the decision.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/06/1068527/bersatu-6-confident-seats-wont-be-vacated-says-source