PETALING JAYA: Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad has been suspended from all official party activities for three months, following his confirmation that he was among two individuals detained in a suspected khalwat case.
Bersama Malaysia president Syukri Razab said the party took the matter seriously and that issues involving its leaders and members must be addressed appropriately to safeguard integrity, credibility and public confidence.
The suspension will run until Jan 19, 2027, he said in a statement yesterday.
Syukri added that the decision was necessary and reasonable, while acknowledging Nik Nazmi’s contributions and commitment to the party’s cause since it was relaunched in May this year.
Nik Nazmi was appointed as natural resources, environment and climate change minister on Dec 3, 2022, before he resigned on July 4, 2025.
On May 18 this year, the former PKR vice-president resigned from the party and vacated his Setiawangsa parliamentary seat before joining Parti Bersama Malaysia alongside Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli.
Yesterday, Nik Nazmi confirmed that he was one of two individuals detained by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) in Petaling Jaya on Thursday over a suspected khalwat offence.
He said that he and several friends had first discussed a project at a studio in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, before deciding to continue the discussion in Petaling Jaya to review related materials.
He acknowledged that only he and a woman were present when Jais officers arrived, describing the situation as a mistake in judgment.
However, he maintained that they had not engaged in any improper conduct.
He also apologised to his wife, their families, and Bersama members and supporters, and said he would cooperate with any legal proceedings.
Meanwhile, Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) chairman Datuk Salehuddin Saidin denied claims that Nik Nazmi’s detention by Jais was an act of persecution or a “frame-up”.
“The suggestion that the religious department was involved in manipulation or anything of the sort is entirely untrue.
“We have a legal obligation: when a complaint is lodged, we are required to conduct a thorough investigation,” he said after the 2026 Gathering of Accredited Religious Teachers in Selangor yesterday, Bernama reported.
