Why didn’t Bersatu expel five Perlis assemblymen? – Misbahul

SHAH ALAM – Pas Central Committee member Mohd Misbahul Munir Masduki has questioned Bersatu's actions, alleging that the party practises 'favouritism' in handling issues involving its members.

The Parit Buntar MP, in a brief Facebook post, took issue with the party led by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for not expelling five Perlis state assemblymen after they withdrew their support for former Perlis Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli.

He also compared this with the 'punishment' imposed on six Bersatu MPs who were expelled after being labelled traitors for expressing support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“Six Bersatu MPs who supported PMX (Anwar) were said to be traitors and were expelled.

“Five Bersatu assemblymen withdrew their support for a PN (Perikatan Nasional) Menteri Besar, isn’t that also an act of betrayal? Why weren’t they expelled as well?” he said.

Previously, the six Bersatu MPs who expressed support for Anwar were Datuk Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang), Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar) and Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan).

All six were issued notices of termination of membership on June 12, 2024, after they failed to respond to written directives from Bersatu’s Supreme Leadership Council to declare their pledge of loyalty to the party.

Earlier, the Perlis political crisis began after five Bersatu assemblymen, together with three Pas assemblymen, were reported to have submitted statutory declarations (SDs) to Istana Arau to replace Shukri.

The impasse was resolved when Kuala Perlis assemblyman from Bersatu, Abu Bakar Hamzah, was sworn in as the ninth Menteri Besar of Perlis.