KUALA LUMPUR (ANN/STRAITS TIMES) – Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia confronts the prospect of multiple by-elections in Malay-majority constituencies recently lost by his ruling coalition. These outcomes pose a risk of eroding his parliamentary super-majority.
The leading opposition party Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia declared the memberships of six rogue MPs void for failing to retract their support for Anwar after a 14-day notice period ending on May 31.
The Speaker of Parliament, a close ally of Anwar, now faces a decision on declaring the wards vacant under the anti-party hopping law or deciding that the legislation does not apply. The Bersatu rebels’ response will be pivotal, as retaining their seats may prioritise Malay voter support over upholding reforms pledged by Anwar’s multi-coalition government.
Anwar currently has 153 members’ backing in the 222-strong Parliament, but if Bersatu retains all six federal seats, it could diminish the government’s majority and its ability to regain Malay voter support.
The situation is complex, with questions raised about the legitimacy of Bersatu’s notice to its members and the potential for messy by-elections if held.Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim faces the spectre of several by-elections in Malay-majority constituencies, as the leading opposition party Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia declared the memberships of six rogue MPs void for failing to retract their support for Anwar after a 14-day notice period ending on May 31.
The Speaker of Parliament, a close ally of Anwar, now faces a decision on declaring the wards vacant under the anti-party hopping law or deciding that the legislation does not apply. Bersatu’s response will be pivotal, as retaining their seats may prioritise Malay voter support over upholding reforms pledged by Anwar’s multi-coalition government.
“According to Article 10.4 of Bersatu’s Constitution, non-compliance by Bersatu elected representatives on any instruction issued by the Supreme Council is akin to terminating their memberships immediately,” stated Tan Sri Muhyiddin.
“The political cost is higher if they get thrashed in the by-elections,” said independent political risk consultant Adib Zalkapli.
“In the letter, we are also seeking an explanation from the party on who are involved in the special committee tasked with scrutinizing the response to the notice from all the representatives,” said Gua Musang MP Azizi Abu Naim, one of the Bersatu elected representatives who declared their support for Anwar.
“The idea of ‘ceasing to be a member’ (automatic relinquishment of membership) is actually to take away discretion. Things become very straightforward – you do this, you have the consequence. No discretion, no negotiation,” explained Sunway University political scientist Wong Chin Huat.
