PKR confirms Rafizi and Nik Nazmi’s exit, to vacate parliamentary seats

“KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 — Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) has confirmed receiving the intention of Pandan MP Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad to vacate their respective parliamentary seats and leave the party. PKR secretary-general Dr Fuziah Salleh said that based on recordings of speeches by the two former senior PKR leaders and following their declaration, Rafizi and Nik Nazmi had ceased to be party members under Clause 9(1)© of the PKR Constitution. “The declaration is clearly in line with Article 49A(1)(a)(ii) of the Federal Constitution, which clearly states that the seat of a Dewan Rakyat member shall become vacant if he ceases to be a member of the political party after being elected to the Dewan Rakyat as a member of that political party,” she said in a statement yesterday. Fuziah said she would refer the matter to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Seri Johari Abdul regarding their status under the Federal Constitution. According to her, PKR would also examine the membership status of party MPs who attended Rafizi and Nik Nazmi’s announcement ceremony yesterday. Earlier, Rafizi and Nik Nazmi announced that they were leaving PKR and vacating their parliamentary seats effective tomorrow. Rafizi said he and Nik Nazmi would write to the Dewan Rakyat Speaker tomorrow regarding the decision, while resignation letters from the party would be submitted to Fuziah on Tuesday (May 19). At the same time, Rafizi and Nik Nazmi took over Parti Bersama Malaysia from its founder and president, Tan Gim Theam, to be their new political platform. — Bernama

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