Opposition wants recall polls after MPs back Anwar
KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian opposition party is demanding recall elections be held in four constituencies, after some of its lawmakers from the Borneo state of Sabah openly backed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The four lawmakers’ actions triggered laws meant to curb defections, and the House speaker has been notified that their seats are now vacant, said Ronald Kiandee, vice-president of pro-Malay opposition party Bersatu yesterday.
According to a landmark legislation to ban partyhopping, a lawmaker who resigns from his political party or ceases to be a member will cause his seat to become vacant, thereby requiring a fresh election in his constituency. This doesn’t apply to those who are expelled or if a party is dissolved.
Mr Kiandee said the law was triggered when the four Sabah MPs broke ranks and sat on the government bench during the Dec 19 parliament session. By “crossing the floor and violating their election promises to voters”, they had contravened the party constitution and ceased to be members of Bersatu, he said.
“We have requested the House Speaker to inform this matter to the Election Commission within 21 days upon receiving the written notice, so that the process of an election can be arranged to fill the vacancy,” he said.
If the recall elections happen, it will be a litmus test of support for Mr Anwar, who solidified power with a confidence vote victory during a parliament session.
In the weeks ahead of the parliament sitting, Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor said the state chapter of Bersatu had resigned from the party to back Mr Anwar’s administration. “We pledge to give full support to the unity government and we are confident in the leadership and wisdom of Anwar Ibrahim to lead the country,” he said in a statement on Dec 10.
Malaysia’s anti-party hopping law, which went into force a month before the general election, requires the parliament speaker to establish that the seat is vacant upon receiving written notice from any MP. The speaker would then notify the Election Commission within 21 days of receiving the notice, paving the way for the election within another 60 days.