“As an MP, I will serve the people, regardless of whether I am in a party or an independent,” he told FMT.

He was responding to Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s statement yesterday that Umno would take legal action against elected representatives who left to join other political parties or became independents.

Zahid said the writs of summons had been issued to several individuals from whom Umno would seek reimbursement for costs incurred.

Syed said the statement was merely a political stunt to get the MPs who left the party to vacate their seats.

“It is my right and responsibility to serve the constituency even if I am not in any party.”

He said he had not received the writ of summons from Umno.

“If the party wants to take action against me, then I will just accept it.

“I will serve as an independent MP until I get the writ of summons and we will see the decision from the court,” he said.

Syed said in June that he was quitting Umno due to its “unstable” position following its poor performance in the last May 9 polls.

Former foreign minister Anifah Aman, who earlier this month resigned from Umno, earlier said the party should respect the rights of those who left it because of the direction Umno was taking.

To date, a total of five MPs have quit Umno since the general election. Apart from Syed and Anifah, the others are Jeli MP Mustapa Mohamed, Masjid Tanah MP Mas Ermieyati Samsudin and Bagan Serai MP Noor Azmi Ghazali.