Selangor Perikatan Nasional chief Azmin Ali and Selangor PAS deputy chief Shafie Ngah submitted the notice to speaker Lau Weng San at the Selangor state assembly here today.

Azmin said he had drawn Lau’s attention to Section 65A(3) of the Selangor state constitution, which states that the speaker must inform the Election Commission about any unexpected seat vacancy within 21 days.

He also cited Section 65(1)(a)(ii) of the Selangor state constitution, which states that a state assembly member must vacate their seat if they leave their political party.

“In this regard, I have informed the speaker that Rashid is no longer a member of Bersatu,” Azmin told reporters.

“This means that Rashid ceases to be a member of the Selangor state assembly and his seat should be vacated.”

Rashid declared support for Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari earlier this year.

Six  Bersatu MPs have also declared their support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Bersatu contends that they and Rashid have ceased to be party members through their own actions – as opposed to being sacked – and that their seats should be declared vacant.

On Wednesday, Kelantan speaker Amar Abdullah declared the Nenggiri state seat vacant after receiving a notice from Bersatu that Azizi Abu Naim had ceased to be a member of the party.

Azizi, who is also the Gua Musang MP, is among the six Bersatu MPs who pledged support for the unity government. The others are Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar) and Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan).

Azizi has since said he would challenge the Kelantan speaker’s decision in court.