KUALA LUMPUR – The prosecution of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin under the Sedition Act will uncover the truth about the 115 statutory declarations (SDs) he purportedly possesses, says Bersatu Supreme Council member Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan.
Wan Saiful said that if these 115 SDs indeed exist, the current government’s legitimacy will also be questioned.
“I am one of those who signed an SD, yet I was not summoned to the palace…but if I comment too much, I might be the one getting called up.
“But I am eager for this to go to court, and I hope it will be presented there. If the 115 SDs are real, what happens next? Will we challenge the legitimacy of the current government?” he said.
Wan Saiful, who is also Tasek Gelugor MP, made these comments as a guest on Scoop’s Trick Lama podcast recently.
The podcast was hosted by Big Boom Media’s chief executive officer Datuk Zainul Arifin Mohammed Isa, the group’s executive director Datuk Ahirudin Attan (better known as Rocky Bru), and editor-in-chief Terence Fernandez.
Expanding on his remarks, Wan Saiful said that Muhyiddin was recounting events based on his own experiences, but the real question is why action needs to be taken against him.
“What happened was that Muhyiddin spoke about a ‘chapter’ in Malaysia’s political history.
“My question is, why is there so much fear, to the point where action must be taken? Why try to close this ‘chapter’?
“Why hide it, why can’t it be discussed?” he asked.
Wan Saiful was referring to the charges against Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Muhyiddin which were brought in the Gua Musang sessions court last week, where he was accused of making seditious remarks during the Nenggiri state by-election campaign.
Muhyiddin was charged under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948, which carries a maximum fine of RM5,000, imprisonment of up to three years, or both.
He later handed over 115 SDs supporting his position as prime minister after the 15th general election in November 2022 to the police.
When asked about the current Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s statement that his majesty would not entertain any requests from parties attempting to destabilise the nation’s politics and that all parties should respect the unity government, Wan Saiful responded: “In my view, his majesty’s decree was made out of responsibility. His majesty spoke from a place of responsibility, urging that no government change should occur now, for the sake of stability.
“But at the same time, if the numbers shift, neither we nor the king would have a choice because the nation’s agenda is rooted in the rule of law. If we believe in the rule of law, we must fight for what is happening.
“If we say there’s no need for change every three years, then why hold elections every five years? Why not have them once every 25 years?
“Why are we confined to this? If a change is needed after two days, let it happen.”
Wan Saiful was also questioned PAS Terengganu state government’s decision to prohibit Muslim women athletes from representing the state in the diving events at the Malaysia Games in Sarawak recently due to a dress code violation. He said that each state has different policies.
He emphasised that everyone should celebrate diversity and that the people of Terengganu have chosen their state government themselves.
“In my constituency of Tasek Gelugor, the situation is different – and the Penang state government would not follow Terengganu’s policy. It’s not the people of Terengganu who need to change, but us.
“This is about people in Kuala Lumpur trying to impose their policies on Terengganu, even though the people of the state have already made their choice,” he said. – September 4, 2024