KUALA LUMPUR: Two Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) lawmakers are ready to vacate their seats should the party amend its constitution to prohibit its members from declaring support to other parties in the future.
In a joint press conference in Parliament today, Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (PN-Bukit Gantang) and Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (PN-Gua Musang) said such a decision was made after considering the implications of the constitution if being amended retrospectively.
Both of the Bersatu members of parliament (MPs) who declared support towards Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's administration last year also said that the support was voluntarily made without influence by any parties or contained any remuneration elements.
"The decision to support the prime minister is a commitment from us and has nothing to do with having remuneration.
"It was made (the decision to support Anwar) after a year being in the opposition bloc, which does not bring any benefit for our constituents
"Hence, we are ready to face any possibilities, including vacating our seats should it really need to be done," he said.
Previously, Bersatu announced its plans to conduct a special general assembly in March to discuss the amendment of the party's constitution, aimed to prevent more members and leaders from switching support.
Syed Abu Hussin, Mohd Azizi, and four other MPs namely Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Datuk Dr Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan) and Datuk Dr Zulkafperi (Tanjong Karang) have declared their support for Anwar.
Meanwhile, Syed Abu Hussin also said that Bersatu's decision to amend the party constitution was due to "fear" that more of its lawmakers were declaring support towards Anwar.
"The party decides to amend the constitution to prevent and prohibit more Bersatu MPs from supporting different parties, which will automatically revoke their membership.
"There was no mention of membership revoked (in the constitution previously).
"Hence, we will see the amendment of the constitution first and we will challenge if the case is brought to court," he said.
He also squashed claims of being given allowances and incentives over the position to lead the National Action Council on Cost of Living (Naccol),
"This (the position) has nothing to do with money as I am not given any pay or allowances (for the appointment) as what is being said by certain parties.
"Hence, do not use the House as a place to play politics as it is a place to discuss important issues."