Utusan Malaysia reported that five of them had defected from Umno after winning their seats on a Barisan Nasional ticket in the 14th general election in 2018.

It identified the MPs as Shabudin Yahaya (Tasek Gelugor), Muslimin Yahaya (Sungai Besar), Abdul Rahim Bakri (Kudat), Fasiah Fakeh (Sabak Bernam), Azizah Dun (Beaufort) and Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang).

Muslimin, who won his seat under a Pakatan Harapan ticket, is also the deputy entrepreneur development and cooperatives minister, and Shabudin was the deputy law minister in Muhyiddin Yassin’s Cabinet.

FMT is reaching out to the six MPs and Bersatu for comment.

The Malay daily reported that Jeli MP Mustapa Mohamed, Masjid Tanah MP Mas Ermieyati Samsudin and Hulu Terengganu MP Rosol Wahid were still keen on defending their seats.

The three MPs had also won their seats on a BN ticket in 2018 before defecting to Bersatu when Pakatan Harapan was in the government.

Mustapa is the economic affairs minister, while Mas Ermieyati and Rosol are deputy ministers.

The six MPs’ decision not to defend their seats in GE15 would deal another blow to Muhyiddin’s party and the Perikatan Nasional coalition, if true.

PN had suffered heavy defeats in the Melaka and Johor state elections, as BN bulldozed to win two-thirds majorities in both state assemblies.

PN won two seats in Melaka and three in Johor.