IPOH: Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Ramli Md Nor expressed confidence that there would be no constitutional crisis even if the Speaker decides to allow six Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) MPs, who were expelled from the party, to retain their seats until the term ends.
He said that the Speaker, whether in the state assembly or Dewan Rakyat, held the authority to make such determinations.
He clarified that the recent action by Kelantan State Assembly Speaker Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah, declaring the Nenggiri state assembly seat vacant, did not establish a mandatory precedent but could be subject to court challenge.
"This is my personal view, not the official stance of the Malaysian Parliament. Regardless of the decision, whether the seat is declared vacant or not, the authority rests with the Speaker, guided by the Constitution and existing laws," he said at a press conference after officiating the Perak and Kedah 2024 Indigenous People's First Meeting and Management and Safety Committee (JKPPOA) at the Saidina Umar Hall, Perak Islamic Administrative Institute (Intim).
Ramli clarified that the Speaker must receive formal notification from the affected party, in this case, Bersatu, regarding the membership status of the MPs in question.
Once notified, the Speaker will assess the situation based on legal frameworks and precedents.
Ramli also addressed concerns about potential constitutional crises raised by some parties if the Dewan Rakyat Speaker diverged from the Kelantan State Assembly's decision.
He pointed out that the final decision could be determined through legal channels, emphasising the Speaker's discretion in interpreting parliamentary rules.
In response to questions about whether failing to follow the Kelantan precedent could lead to a crisis, Ramli stressed the importance of respecting the Speaker's authority and the judicial process.
Earlier, it was reported that Bersatu Youth chief, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, urged the Dewan Rakyat Speaker, Tan Sri Johari Abdul, to follow the Kelantan State Assembly's precedent in deciding the fate of six parliamentary seats held by Bersatu representatives who had been expelled from the party.
Yesterday, Bersatu Supreme Leadership Council member, Wan Saiful Wan Jan, said that if the precedent of declaring a seat vacant, as happened with the Nenggiri state assembly seat, was not followed, it could lead to a serious constitutional crisis due to the failure to adhere to an established precedent.
It was also reported yesterday that Nenggiri assemblyman Mohd Azizi Abu Naim was not surprised by the announcement of the vacancy of his seat, adding that he would bring the case to court and consult with lawyers regarding the Kelantan decision.
Previously, the media reported that six MPs and one state assemblyman from Bersatu were immediately expelled from the party.
The six are Mohd Azizi himself, who is also the MP for Gua Musang; Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang); Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan); Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanafi (Tanjong Karang) and Zahari Kechik (Jeli).