KUALA LUMPUR: The request to change seats within the Dewan Rakyat by the four opposition members of Parliament (MPs) who expressed support for the Madani government, does not indicate a shift to the government bloc.
Labuan MP Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman clarified that the request signified their departure from the primary lineup of the opposition leadership.
"Is it wrong for me to request a transfer to another seat? I'm not asking to be moved to the government bloc or the backbenchers.
"We are requesting to be relocated within the opposition bloc, but to seats far from the main leaders like Tan Sri Muhyiddin.
"Currently, I am seated in the main block alongside the Opposition leader and the party president.
"Besides, we have been supporting Anwar, so it's only logical not to want to sit there," he told the New Straits Times.
Yesterday, the four MPs from the opposition bloc, who had expressed their support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, submitted a request for a seating change in the Dewan Rakyat.
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul acknowledged receiving the application on Nov 9 and plans to meet with the MPs soon to discuss the matter.
The four are Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (PN-Kuala Kangsar), Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman (PN-Labuan), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (PN-Gua Musang), and Zahari Kechik (PN-Jeli).
However, Suhaili mentioned that the discussion with the Dewan Rakyat Speaker has yet to be decided.
"The four of us have not received any information regarding that matter. However, we have indeed agreed to remain within the opposition bloc," he confirmed.