DEWAN Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul has vowed stern action against those at fault in an MP’s allegation that two lawmakers from Perikatan Nasional tried to convince him to support the government.
Johari was referring to Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan’s allegation on March 21 that Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (PN-Gua Musang) and Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (PN-Tanjong Karang) had attempted to influence him to support the unity government.
Mohd Azizi and Dr Zulkafperi denied the allegations.
They have filed separate motions to refer Wan Saiful to the Rights and Privileges Committee.
Johari said he would go through the Hansard record before making a decision on the action to be taken against those at fault.
“This House is not a court, but we function under the guidelines of the Standing Orders and the Federal Constitution.
“Hence, a decision must be made,” he said.
Johari said the allegations were quite heavy and also involved the dignity and credibility of the said MPs, the prime minister and Parliament.
He said he had two options: 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 about keeping political issues outside of the House.
“I have also reminded (all) 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.
“If guilty, the two YBs will be referred to the committee,” he told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
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, Dr Zulkafperi reiterated his denial over Wan Saiful’s claims, saying that no offers were made to the Tasek Gelugor MP.
According to Dr Zulkafperi, Wan Saiful had made various demands as conditions to back Anwar as PM.
He claimed that among the demands by Wan Saiful were parliamentary allocations, a 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.
“But me and Gua Musang failed to help him, and therefore, he claimed that we were trying to lure him instead,” said Dr Zulkafperi.
