Hadi wrong to say Bersatu automatically out of PN, says Azmin

Azmin Ali, Bersatu secretary-general, has refuted PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang's assertion that Bersatu has automatically exited Perikatan Nasional (PN). Hadi's statement conflicts with the coalition's constitution, according to Ali. He emphasized that there is no provision in PN's constitution for an automatic termination of a party's membership.

Clause 7A of the constitution dictates that Bersatu's status within PN can only be confirmed by the presidential council. Thus far, the council has not convened to decide Bersatu's membership in PN, making the party a legitimate member at present. The Bersatu president, Muhyiddin Yassin, had previously indicated that the party would form a new and more robust coalition with several other parties following the Negeri Sembilan state election.

However, Hadi claimed today that joining or forming another alliance would automatically disqualify Bersatu from PN. Ali dismissed Hadi's claim as incorrect, stating that he lacked the authority or right to determine Bersatu's position in PN. He further accused Hadi of showing a lack of fundamental understanding of the coalition's constitution.

Bersatu information chief, Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz, requested that Hadi and PN chairman Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar clarify the specific clause in the PN constitution supporting Hadi's assertion. He pointed out that Hadi was likely referring to the PAS constitution, not PN's. Azmin further urged Bersatu to file an official complaint with the Registrar of Societies regarding the exclusion of its representatives from attending a meeting of PN's Supreme Council, where discussions on seat allocations and PN's cooperation with Barisan Nasional took place.

Azmin contended that PN chairman Takiyuddin Hassan and secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan had acted contrary to the coalition's constitution.