“They can enjoy the festivities first and after that we will take action based on our amended constitution,” he said in a video, which was uploaded on Facebook.

While he did not go into detail, the party previously said that it would seek to vacate the parliamentary seats currently held by the six MPs under an amendment to the party constitution.

Muhyiddin brushed off claims that the party’s updated rule would not affect the six, stating that “maybe they don’t understand or are just looking for an excuse to make themselves feel better”.

He also said the party had a team of lawyers who were reviewing the application of the new rule to ensure any action taken was by the book.

Muhyiddin’s comments come days after party secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin warned the six MPs that their positions were not safe, following approval by the Registrar of Societies of the constitutional amendment.

Hamzah said this after Labuan MP Suhaili Abdul Rahman said he would not have to vacate his seat as the amended constitution only took effect on April 1.

He said he and the other five MPs had declared their support for Anwar between October and January.

The other MPs are: Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli) and Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar).

All six MPs justified their support for the federal government by citing the needs of their constituencies.

However, they said they would remain loyal to Bersatu, which enabled them to circumvent a provision in the Federal Constitution which would have required them to vacate their seats for party-hopping.