KUALA LUMPUR – Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul gave opposition lawmaker Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan a spectacular rebuke today after the Bersatu MP indirectly accused Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim of corruption.
Wan Saiful (Tasek Gelugor-PN), who later apologised and retracted his statement, was debating the royal address and had expressed support for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s remarks against corruption.
“I want to remind everyone in this Dewan, this is the kind of government we have today. We have to remember that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has said that he will hunt down all corrupt individuals. Ampun Tuanku, the corrupt person is meeting Tuanku every week before the cabinet meeting,” Wan Saiful said in the Dewan Rakyat.
Although he did not name Anwar, it is a known convention that the prime minister meets the King every week before the cabinet meeting.
Wan Saiful’s remark was followed by immediate outcry from government MPs – Ipoh Timor’s Howard Lee, Sg Petani’s Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari and Jelutong’s R.S.N. Rayer.
The Perikatan Nasional lawmaker attempted to press on amid calls for him to retract his statement and condemnation for uttering rude remarks.
MPs were already on edge as Wan Saiful had just before this claimed he was induced to support Anwar with an offer to have his corruption charges dropped.
Johari had by then repeatedly told Wan Saiful to stop making unfounded claims and to “move on”.
Amid the shouting by MPs, Johari ordered Wan Saiful to retract his remark against the prime minister, warning that he could be suspended from Parliament for six months if he did not heed instructions.
“I am warning you now to retract your words! Because that is an accusation of a person being corrupt when there is no proof,” Johari said.
Wan Saiful then asked to be allowed to amend his statement, to which Johari retorted: “No! Retract your statement now that corrupt people meet the King.”
To this, Wan Saiful said: “OK, I will retract. I am disappointed with the order but I will comply.”
This incensed Johari even more, causing him to raise his voice: “You’re disappointed and what not, but I have a Parliament to run!”
Wan Saiful still attempted to push the matter, saying: “Your name was involved, too, Tan Sri”.
“It doesn’t matter! It was hearsay. If you want to rely on hearsay, we can drag things up from 30 years ago. We have to move forward. If you don’t agree, go report to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission or police. Here, we cannot do anything because we cannot verify what you say.”
Wan Saiful then apologised, adding that he was feeling emotional. Earlier, he had mentioned that his wife was ill with cancer.
To this Johari said: “Everybody has problems. But you have to respect me, when I say move forward, you keep on (insisting). – February 28, 2024