No reports yet on MPs being coerced or bribed to support PM, says Saifuddin

KUALA LUMPUR: The authorities have not received any reports alleging enticement, bribes and threats to Opposition MPs to get them to support Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, says the Home Minister.

Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that up to Tuesday (Nov 14) morning, neither the police nor the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had received any such complaints.

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“As of this morning, when the officers were preparing the (parliamentary) answers, there was no complaint filed... regarding the alleged elements of enticement, bribes and threats following Opposition MPs supporting Tambun (Anwar),” he said in the Dewan Rakyat.

Onn Abu Bakar (PH- Batu Pahat) had asked the Home Ministry to state the number of police reports made on alleged elements of enticement, bribes and coercion in the matter of some Opposition MPs supporting the Prime Minister.

Saifuddin said acts that are against the law would not be tolerated, and any reports received would be investigated.

“However, if the alleged elements do not exist, it could be slander (against) the government.

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“The enforcement agencies will (act professionally) in dealing with any possibility,” he said in response to Onn’s supplementary question.

Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (PN-Machang) rebutted, claiming that Bersatu’s youth wing Armada had filed a report at midnight.

“I’d like to correct the minister. Armada actually filed a police report at midnight. Was this (allegation) just a rumour or slander? No.

“A report will also be made to the MACC,” he said.

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In response, Saifuddin reiterated that the authorities were ready to act on any reports.

“I would like to congratulate Machang and Armada for working until late at night. The fact that the report was accepted by the police shows that (law) enforcement is being professional,” he added.

On Nov 8, Zahari Kechik (Jeli) became the fourth Bersatu MP to declare support for Anwar after Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Datuk Dr Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan) and Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang).