Speaker vows stern action against MPs over allegations of coercion

KUALA LUMPUR: Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul vowed stern action towards two Perikatan Nasional MPs or Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan, whoever is at fault, over allegations of coercion.

Johari was referring to Wan Saiful’s allegation on March 21 that two MPs, Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (PN-Gua Musang) and Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (PN-Tanjong Karang), attempted to influence him to support the government.

Mohd Azizi and Dr Zulkafperi had also filed separate motions to refer Wan Saiful to the Rights and Privileges Committee and denied the allegations, labelling them as slanderous.

Johari said he would go through the Hansard record before making a decision on the action to be taken against those at fault—be it Wan Saiful or Mohd Azizi and Dr Zulkafperi.

"After referring to the Hansard minutes on what Tasek Gelugor has said, I feel what was said by both MPs, the prime minister and the government was quite serious," he said.

"This House is not a court but we function by the guidelines of the Standing Orders and the Federal Constitution. Hence, a decision must be made," he said.

He said the allegations were quite heavy and also involved the dignity and credibility of the said MPs, the prime minister and Parliament.

Johari said he had two options whether to obtain an explanation from those involved and refer them to the Rights and Privileges Committee or to establish a new committee under Standing Orders 80A.

"The penalty will be heavy because I have given repeated warnings against keeping political issues outside of the House," he said.

"I have also been reminded to not use the time here to play politics," he added.

He said there are clear mechanisms to deal with the matter.

"We have three more days (before the Dewan Rakyat meeting ends) and I will look into it. I have written to Tasek Gelugor to obtain the facts and after that, I will contact Tanjong Karang and Gua Musang for further action," he said.

"If guilty, the two YB’s would be referred to the committee," he told the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (March 25).

Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran) then said Wan Saiful had made an official complaint in the House, which should be investigated.

He added that as Dr Zulkafperi’s motion came after Wan Saiful’s allegations, it can be taken as an act of denial or self-defence.

At a press conference, Zulkafperi reiterated denial over Wan Saiful’s claims, saying that no offers were made to the Tasek Gelugor MP.

"It was his (Wan Saiful) demands as a condition to be a Tasek Gelugor MP backing Anwar as PM," said Zulkafperi.

Zulkafperi claimed that among the demands by Wan Saiful were parliamentary allocations, an RM2mil project, 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.

"These were all his demands. The conversation with me and Azizi was him trying to get an explanation and assurance (from us).

"But, me and Gua Musang failed to help him and therefore, he claimed that we were trying to lure him instead," said Zulkafperi.

Zulkafperi said Wan Saiful’s allegations were malicious and that is why he and Mohd Azizi decided to refer him to the Parliamentary Rights and Privileges Committee.

Mohd Azizi, who spoke after Zulkafperi, said that Wan Saiful had made slanderous claims.

"Since I became an MP, I had never contacted Wan Saiful, neither did we meet face to face or communicated with each other, aside from official Perikatan events.

"The meeting at the hotel on Jan 17 was not planned by me. I was at the cafe and he approached me to cross-check with me what I got (from the government).

"I only said I got the same allocations as backbencher MPs and nothing more," said Mohd Azizi.