Rashid said that state assembly speaker Lau Weng San was still reviewing the notice issued by Bersatu for him to vacate the seat, and that he “needed time” to decide on the matter.

“In my discussions with the speaker, he told me he needed to review the facts of the case. He also told me he had not made any decision and that he needed additional information,” he told reporters here.

Rashid also said Lau would issue a letter for him to explain himself before deciding whether he needs to vacate the seat.

“So come July 4, I will attend the sittings and take my usual seat,” he said, referring to the next state assembly session.

Rashid is among seven elected representatives from Bersatu who have pledged support for the ruling government.

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

Azizi is also the state assemblyman for the Nenggiri seat, which Kelantan state assembly speaker Amar Abdullah declared vacant last week based on a notice from Bersatu that Azizi had ceased to be a member of the party.

Rashid said the decision by the Kelantan assembly to declare the Nenggiri seat vacant was rushed, and that Azizi was not given a chance to defend himself.

“Lau told me that the decision by the speaker of the Kelantan assembly was made hastily, without Azizi being called in to discuss the matter,” he said.

Unlike Rashid, Azizi had said he would continue to support the PAS-led Kelantan government.

He filed a suit earlier this week to challenge his purported sacking by Bersatu as well as the vacancy of the Nenggiri state seat.