KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 22 — Former law minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said today said that Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs who violate coalition directives under the anti-party hopping law will lose their constituency seats.
BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has the sole prerogative to negotiate the formation of a coalition government after the 15th general election, she said in a FAQ document posted to her Twitter.
“BN has also developed internal means to manage party discipline, especially amongst the elected MPs here.
“Prior to them receiving their watikah and nomination as BN candidates, all BN candidates signed a series of documents consisting of an offer letter, statutory declarations, candidacy agreement and an oath,” the document shared by the Pengerang MP read.
This also implies that seats won belong to BN, she added.
She said that this was because of a two-stage process, in which the first stage ensures a “coherence of discipline” under the anti-party hopping law, stipulating that the party member must vacate their seat if they resign or cease to be a member of the party.
The second stage falls under internal party mechanisms to ensure MPs’ adherence to party directives, either through party constitutional amendments or agreements, she explained.
This is done to “ensure MPs toe the party line on fundamental issues, which would include formation of government and appointment of prime minister”, she said.
She said this was not unconstitutional because Article 10 of the Federal Constitution on freedom of association was amended to add restrictions on MPs as part of the process to introduce the anti-party hopping law.
“The implication here is that an MP is bound by party directive, and no longer a ‘free agent’,” she said.
Last night, former information chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa said that Umno president and BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi does not have the power to fire BN MPs who sign statutory declarations to support a Perikatan Nasional (PN) government.
He insisted that only the party supreme council has the power to fire members.
This comes after Ahmad Zahid said that the coalition has yet to decide who to support or which coalition to form the next federal government with.
