Wan Saiful wants Parliament to form committee to probe claim MPs tried to influence him

KUALA LUMPUR: Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan (pic) wants Parliament to form a committee to investigate a claim that two other Perikatan Nasional MPs had tried to influence his conduct as a lawmaker and express support to the government.

Citing Standing Order 80A, Wan Saiful said that he wanted the committee to be formed to investigate and punish the other two MPs.

He also said there was a precedent for such a committee, as a similar one had been set up related to claims by the late former Bukit Gelugor MP Karpal Singh in 2009.

"I propose that the Dewan Rakyat form a committee under Standing Order 80A to identify and punish them for trying to influence my conduct as a lawmaker," he said in Parliament Thursday (March 21).

He claimed that among the offers, which also involved Parliamentary allocations, was a project worth RM2mil, payment for his wife's medical expenses, legal costs to face charges in court and other unspecified token amounts as well as to drop his legal cases in court.

The Star is currently trying to reach out to the two MPs for their comments.

Wan Saiful said that an MP from Kelantan had first approached him with two other individuals.

Hasnan then came to see him with another individual on Feb 26, as well as another MP from Selangor, added Wan Saiful.

"The MP also proposed what I should say in Parliament on Feb 28 when I was debating the Royal Address. This is an attempt to influence my behaviour and actions.

"It's an attempt to disrupt, offer inducement, and engage in threatening actions to influence my behavior as an MP," added Wan Saiful.

"I hope that a committee will be formed under Standing Order 80A," he said.

Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran) then interjected, saying that a similar committee was formed to investigate claims made by the late Karpal Singh in 2009.

"It happened in the Parliament compound and he submitted it to the Dewan on the same day," added Kiandee.

The then law minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz formed a committee to probe the incident, argued Kiandee.

In February 2009, Parliament appointed a committee to investigate the scuffle that involved the late Karpal and a group of Selangor Umno Youth members.

The motion for the committee was put forward by Nazri under Standing Order 80A.

"Parliament and the Speaker must look into this seriously as it is an intimidation towards an MP.

"As the Speaker, you must uphold the Standing Order. The Speaker is the custodian of the Standing Order," Kiandee said.

To this, Deputy Speaker Datuk Ramli Mohd Nor advised Wan Saiful to write to the Speaker for further deliberation.

"This is because it involves an allegation against other MPs. Let the Speaker deliberate and consider it," added Ramli.