A PAS leader has raised questions regarding the consistency of DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook concerning elected representatives who switch their political support, following the recent upheaval in Negeri Sembilan.
PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari noted that Loke had accused 14 Barisan Nasional assemblymen of violating the mandate provided by voters in the 2023 state election.
These assemblymen had contested the polls as part of a unity pact with Pakatan Harapan.
In a social media post, Fadhli questioned whether the six Bersatu members of parliament who declared support for the prime minister had similarly violated the mandates given by their voters.
He asked why DAP supported the decision to keep those parliamentary seats occupied despite the shift in loyalty.
Comparison with previous defections
The six Bersatu representatives who moved to support Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim include Suhaili Abdul Rahman, Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal, Azizi Abu Naim, Zulkafperi Hanapi, Zahari Kechik, and Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid.
While Bersatu argued that these individuals ceased to be members after failing to confirm their loyalty, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul ruled that they had been sacked, which allowed them to retain their seats as pro-government independent members.
Fadhli, who serves as the Pasir Mas member of parliament, argued that the anti-hopping law focuses on individual defections rather than parties switching support as a single bloc.
He maintained that the move by Negeri Sembilan Umno was a collective decision rather than a series of individual departures.
Majority claims and state stability
The Negeri Sembilan assembly consists of 17 representatives from Pakatan Harapan, 14 from Barisan Nasional, and five from Perikatan Nasional. A minimum of 19 seats is required to establish a majority and form the state government.
The crisis intensified after Barisan Nasional assemblymen withdrew their support for menteri besar Aminuddin Harun.
The coalition subsequently claimed it held a simple majority to form a new administration with the backing of five Perikatan Nasional representatives.
Loke has criticized these actions, describing the attempt to form a new government by unseating Aminuddin as a betrayal of the voters.
Meanwhile, Aminuddin remains in his post at the request of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan until his majority support is formally clarified.
