“He should know his status. This (his swearing in) cannot be prolonged. He himself can read the constitution,” he said after a ceremony to receive books on law at Parliament today.

According to Article 59 of the Federal Constitution, candidates who win parliamentary seats in a general election must take their oath as an MP within six months of the new Parliament sitting for the first time.

The 14th general election was held on May 9 and the Dewan Rakyat’s first sitting was on July 16, with 220 of the 222 MPs taking their oath of office.

The MPs who did not do so were Pagoh MP Muhyiddin Yassin because he was on sick leave and Yamani.

Muhyiddin, who is also home minister, took his oath as MP on Aug 14.

However, the reason for Yamani’s absence is still a mystery. Yamani, 39, is the son of former Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman.

Asked if he would be disqualified as an MP, Ariff said: “If he exceeds the time limitation, then obviously the law kicks in. Then, there will be nothing I can do, nothing you can do, nothing anyone can do. It is the law.”