Bersatu accepts Wan Saiful’s resignation as info chief, says Muhyiddin

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan's resignation as the Bersatu information chief, effective Wednesday (Feb 22) has been accepted, says party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (pic).

Muhyiddin also said a new Bersatu information chief will be appointed from the party’s Supreme Council.

“Wan Saiful stated he wants to resign and I appreciate it. His responsibilities will be taken up by a Supreme Council member whom I will announce soon,” said Muhyiddin.

ALSO READ: Wan Saiful wants to step down as Bersatu info chief until disposal of case

He said this when speaking to reporters after attending an event to launch a Perikatan Nasional charity initiative to Turkiye and Syria in Parliament on Wednesday (Feb 22),

Muhyiddin said he was not accepting Wan Saiful’s resignation as Bersatu information chief because the Tasek Gelugor MP was guilty of the accusations.

“This is not a form of punishment. In fact, it was voluntary, which I think is admirable," he added.

Muhyiddin said he had met with Wan Saiful earlier Wednesday (Feb 22) over the Tasek Gelugor MP’s decision to relinquish his Bersatu information chief post.

He also said Wan Saiful will send an official resignation letter by Wednesday (Feb 22).

“This is a standard that we are showing when (our leaders) are faced with charges,” said Muhyiddin.

On the first charge, Wan Saiful, 48, allegedly solicited for himself a bribe from an individual as an inducement for him to assist Nepturis Sdn Bhd to obtain a project called “Central Spine Road: Sertik Ke Persimpangan Lebuhraya Pantai Timur (CH 0-CH 8050) from the government through a pre-qualification whereby the total amount is valued at RM232,000,000.

He allegedly committed the offence at the Royal Lake Club sometime in April last year.

On the second charge, Wan Saiful allegedly received for himself a bribe of RM6,962,694.54 through a CIMB account belonging to his company, WSA Advisory Group Sdn Bhd, from the Maybank account of Nepturis Sdn Bhd.

The money was allegedly an inducement for Wan Saiful to assist Nepturis in obtaining an acceptance letter for the Central Spine Road project.

The charges were framed under Section 16a(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009.

If convicted, Wan Saiful faces a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine of no less than five times the amount of gratification, or RM10,000, whichever is higher.