KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 2 (Bernama) — Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the decision by the Election Commission (EC) on Kota Siputeh seat in Kedah should be respected by all.

“The right to confirm or revoke the position of an assemblyman is not for the State Assembly, but the EC. Hence, when the EC has decided on the matter, we should respect the decision,” he told reporters after chairing the border committee meeting with Thai Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan here Wednesday.
The EC yesterday decided that Kota Siputeh assemblyman Datuk Abu Hassan Sarif, who was absent from two consecutive meetings of the Kedah state legislative assembly, was still the elected representative for the state constituency.
The decision was made following a notification by Kedah State Assembly Speaker Datuk Dr Abdul Isa Ismail on Aug 17 of a vacancy in the constituency.
On the action by the Pakatan Rakyat assemblymen in Kedah to hold a state assembly meeting today, Zahid said they had no regard for democracy.
“It shows that they have run out of issues and are trying to find cheap publicity,” he added.
On the MCA issue, Ahmad Zahid said that as a Barisan Nasional component party, MCA should give priority to restoring the people’s confidence for Barisan Nasional.
He hoped MCA would resolve its problems at its extraordinary meeting and an amicable solution could be reached by MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and Dr Chua Soi Lek, who has been sacked as the party deputy president.
Ong made a surprise in calling for a EGM on Monday under Article 30.1 of the party’s constitution to allow members to reflect on the direction in which the party should be heading.
Last week, Dr Chua’s supporters initiated a signature campaign among central delegates to convene an EGM of their own under Article 30.3 whereby they would need 800 signatures.
— BERNAMA