The request followed the opposition party’s notice to the Speaker, demanding that he declare the six seats vacant.

In a press conference at his constituency service centre, Bukit Gantang MP Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal said he and the other five MPs submitted their letter of explanation to Johari last Thursday, Bernama reported.

“The letter (from Johari) questions our expulsion from Bersatu, which was carried out by Bersatu’s Supreme Council.

“This expulsion does not comply with Article 49A(1) of the Federal Constitution, which clearly states that the right to vacate a seat is subject to a declaration made by the MPs (to leave their parties) themselves,” Syed Hussin was quoted as saying.

Last Tuesday, Johari confirmed he had received the notice from Bersatu chief whip Ronald Kiandee regarding the vacancy of the six parliamentary seats under Article 49A of the Federal Constitution and said he has up to 21 days to review the notice.

He then called for the six MPs to address the allegations by the party, the effects of the party’s constitutional amendments and whether they were involved in the issues as stated in the party’s letter.

Kiandee had also contended that Johari had no choice but to declare the six seats vacant and inform the Election Commission on the need for by-elections, as a precedent had been set by the Kelantan assembly speaker last week with Azizi Abu Naim’s Nenggiri state seat.

The six MPs are Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Azizi (Gua Musang), Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang), and Syed Hussin.