KUALA LUMPUR – Bersatu’s Wan Saiful Wan Jan (Tasek Gelugor-PN) made a bombshell revelation in Parliament today alleging that two fellow Bersatu MPs sought his backing for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s proposed unity government during today’s parliamentary session.
He said on January 17, one of the MPs from Selangor, who was among the six from Bersatu who recently shifted their allegiance to Anwar, allegedly approached him with a lucrative offer.
The offer included an RM2 million parliamentary allocation, coverage of his wife’s medical expenses, an undisclosed sum to handle his ongoing legal case, and the possibility of having charges against him dropped.
“This constitutes an attempt to alter my conduct. It is unethical to resort to threats, bribes, or intimidation to sway my actions as an MP,” Wan Saiful said.
During a debate on the royal address on February 26, Wan Saiful claimed that another MP from Kelantan had facilitated an introduction to someone linked to the planned declaration of support for the government.
As a result of the allegation, Wan Saiful proposed the establishment of a committee under Standing Order 80A to address contemptuous behaviour by members of the House.
He said this was in accordance with Sections 9(d) and 9(e) of Act 347, commonly known as the Houses of Parliament (Privileges and Powers) Act 1952.
The Dewan Rakyat possesses the authority to handle cases of contempt as stipulated in Act 347, owing to Standing Order 80A.
He cited the late Karpal Singh, former Bukit Gelugor MP, as the inspiration behind his suggestion, indicating a precedent for such measures.
Ronald Kiandee (Beluran-PN), endorsing Wan Saiful’s proposal, recounted the formation of a parliamentary special committee to investigate a 2009 altercation involving Karpal and several Selangor Umno Youth members.
In response, Deputy Speaker Datuk Ramli Mohd Nor (Cameron Highlands-BN) suggested that Wan Saiful draft and submit a motion to Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul for further consideration.
Last week, Ramli advised Wan Saiful to lodge a police report after he claimed that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had contacted him over recent contentious remarks made in Parliament, despite having Parliamentary immunity.
Wan Saiful said MACC’s actions were unfair and put unnecessary pressure on him while raising Article 43 of the Standing Orders, which states that the decisions made by the House’s speaker shall not be open to appeal and shall not be reviewed by the House except upon a substantive motion.
“I am continuously disturbed by the authorities, especially the MACC. I just received a notice to record my statement over what I said in the august House,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat on March 14.
“The MACC’s actions breach not only the lawmakers’ immunity under Section 7 of the Houses of Parliament (Privileges and Powers) Act 1952, but also insult the speaker and the House’s decisions.” – March 21, 2024