KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 25): Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul confirmed on Monday that Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) has initiated legal action over his decision to allow five lawmakers who had been expelled by the party to retain their parliamentary seats.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of an event in Parliament, Johari said he would let the attorney general handle the legal procedures related to the lawsuit.
"I was informed that the writ of summons has been sent to the Speaker's office, but I have not seen it yet. We will see what happens next," Johari said.
He acknowledged that it was Bersatu's right to pursue legal action and expressed confidence that any decisions made according to the law would be judged fairly.
The opposition party, through its vice president Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee and secretary Datuk Captain (Rtd) Muhamad Suhaimi Yahya, filed the suit at the High Court last week, seeking the vacation of the five parliamentary seats held by its former members, all of whom had pledged support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s government.
The opposition party had named the five lawmakers — Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjung Karang) and Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang) — along with Johari as defendants.
Bersatu is seeking several declarations, including that Johari acted in contravention of Article 49A(3) of the Federal Constitution on July 9 this year when he decided that there were no casual vacancies for the five parliamentary seats.
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