Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan says negotiations to join Parti Keluarga Malaysia are final, but MPs’ moves hinge on legal considerations.
PETALING JAYA: “We have yet to decide on the steps to be taken by MPs and assemblymen supporting us. This requires careful consideration as it involves the anti-hopping law.”
This was the statement made by Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan to theSun yesterday when he provided an update on the ongoing negotiations to take over Parti Keluarga Malaysia.
Wan Saiful was expelled from Bersatu and was part of a faction led by former Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin. Wan Saiful, who was a former Supreme Council member and was sacked before Hamzah, said discussions have progressed smoothly and are now at an advanced stage, with only several technical matters left to iron out before a final decision is made.
“Alhamdulillah, negotiations have gone well and we are at the final stage. There are only a few technical issues to resolve. As this is a new party, certain matters need to be settled first.”
Wan Saiful also said Parti Keluarga Malaysia has yet to be registered but they are moving towards it.
This had been confirmed by Registrar of Societies (ROS) director-general Datuk Zulfikar Ahmad who said Parti Keluarga Malaysia’s initial application to register as a political party was rejected by the ROS in 2022, as it did not meet the requirements set out under the First Schedule of the Societies Act 1966.
Wan Saiful added that efforts are underway to conclude the talks as soon as possible, due to the growing curiosity among supporters at the grassroots level.
“We are working to finalise the negotiations in the near future. Our supporters have started asking questions, so we will expedite the process. Once everything is concluded, we will make an official announcement. I hope our supporters can remain patient and wait for the announcement.”
However, Wan Saiful stressed that no decision has been made regarding the course of action for MPs and state assemblymen citing legal implications under the anti-party hopping provisions. He added that there is no immediate urgency for elected representatives to make a move.
“Even if MPs and assemblymen do not join immediately, it is not an issue as we have time until the dissolution of the legislative bodies. What is more important is for supporters and machinery members to come in first to begin preparations.”
On speculation whether the group would formally align itself with Perikatan Nasional (PN), Wan Saiful said any definitive decision can only be made after the process of joining the new party is completed.
“Whether or not we join PN can only be decided after our entry into the new party is finalised.”
Nonetheless, he reaffirmed that all MPs aligned with him remain in the opposition bloc alongside PN.
“What is certain is that all our MPs remain in the opposition bloc with PN.”
Wan Saiful was expelled from Bersatu after he was accused of masterminding the collection of statutory declarations among Bersatu division leaders seeking for Hamzah to take over the party leadership from President Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Following months of intense power struggle, Hamzah and his men were expelled from Bersatu due to a breach of the party’s constitution – Clause 9.1.4 which requires Bersatu members to comply with the party’s constitution as well as its Code of Ethics and Conduct.
However, recently, Muhyiddin also accused Hamzah of holding a secret meeting with Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to negotiate without Bersatu’s knowledge or permission.
This, and numerous other alleged offences led the Bersatu disciplinary board to expel Hamzah and his faction, explained Muhyiddin.
