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

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan (pic) wants to relinquish his position as Bersatu information chief until the disposal of his graft case linked to the Jana Wibawa programme.

Wan Saiful said he had conveyed his wish to Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, party secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin and the supreme council.

”I suggested that I be replaced by other capable leaders. Let the leadership decide,” he told a press conference in Parliament on Wednesday (Feb 22).

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The Tasek Gelugor MP said his proposal was in line with the principles of his struggle.

“This will differentiate me from the court cluster that is currently part of the government. I'm willing to let go of my executive position until my name is cleared in the courts,” he said, adding that he was set to meet Muhyiddin soon on the matter.

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Wan Saiful, 48, was charged with allegedly soliciting a bribe as an inducement to assist Nepturis Sdn Bhd 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 RM232mil.

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

He was also charged with receiving 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.

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

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

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