Two Members of Parliament, Dr. Zulkafperi Hanapi and Azizi Abu Naim, who were accused by Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan of attempting to influence his support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, have submitted motions to refer Wan Saiful to the Dewan Rakyat’s privileges committee.
Dr. Zulkafperi Hanapi, representing Tanjong Karang, informed the Dewan Rakyat that he and Azizi Abu Naim, representing Gua Musang, have filed separate motions in accordance with Standing Order 36(6) and 36(12). Standing Order 36(6) prohibits MPs from imputing improper motives to any other member, while 36(12) addresses making misleading statements, both of which can lead to punishment by the House’s privileges committee.
Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul confirmed receiving the motions last Friday and stated his intention to gather facts and evidence before proceeding. He acknowledged that the accusations were serious and had implications for the MPs, the prime minister, and the government. Johari indicated that he might either refer all three elected representatives to a committee or establish a new committee composed of other MPs under Standing Order 80A.
Wan Saiful had previously proposed establishing a committee under Standing Order 80A to punish those who committed contempt of the House. He claimed that Zulkafperi and Azizi had attempted to persuade him to support Anwar by offering parliamentary allocation, medical cost contributions for his wife, covering legal fees, and potentially dropping charges against him.
Johari stated that he had written to Wan Saiful to obtain more details on the allegations before taking further action. He warned that the punishment would be severe due to repeated warnings about keeping political disputes outside of the House, emphasizing that the chamber should focus on discussing national issues and the wellbeing of the people.
The developments indicate a growing rift within the Dewan Rakyat, with accusations and counter-accusations highlighting the challenges in maintaining decorum and integrity within Malaysia's legislative body. As the case unfolds, it remains to be seen how the privileges committee will address these allegations and what impact it will have on the political landscape.
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