HAMZAH PROPOSED AS BERSATU DEPUTY PRESIDENT

KUALA LUMPUR, July 13 (Bernama) -- Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin has been proposed for the deputy president's post when the party holds its polls in October.

Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the decision was made after he held discussions with the party leadership several weeks ago and the matter was also agreed upon by Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, who currently holds the deputy president's post.

"Datuk Peja (Ahmad Faizal) is ready to take a step back (to become vice-president) and offer his position.

"He is willing to let go of the (deputy president) post to give space and opportunity to Datuk Hamzah,” he told a media conference after the Bersatu convention here today.

The party has also proposed Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali for the post of secretary-general.

Muhyiddin said although the proposed candidates have been named, party members could still choose to contest the positions.

Bersatu will hold its party polls from Oct 12-26, with the party members and delegates set to elect leaders at all levels.

On the decision by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul to allow the six Bersatu members of Parliament, whose memberships have been revoked by the party, to retain their seats, Muhyiddin said Bersatu has appointed lawyers to study the matter.

"We will study it from the perspective of the Constitution, the Anti-Party Hopping Act, and so on. We still have another place to file our complaints, which is the court,” he said.

Recently, Muhyiddin confirmed receiving a notification letter from Johari on July 9 that there are no vacancies under Article 49A of the Federal Constitution for the six parliamentary seats of former party members who expressed support for the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim). 

The six MPs involved in the issue are Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Datuk Dr Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar) and Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang).

Meanwhile, Hamzah posted on his Facebook page today that 123 members have had their party membership revoked.

This included the six who were issued notices of immediate party membership termination on June 12.

-- BERNAMA