Bersatu’s Wan Saiful shows ‘proof’ of offer to settle court case

Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan showing reporters a screenshot of the WhatsApp chat he had with a ‘middleman’ allegedly acting for the prime minister.

KUALA LUMPUR: Bersatu MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan has produced purported proof to back his claim that the court charges brought against him could be dropped if he declared support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

At a press conference in Parliament today, Wan Saiful shared with reporters a screenshot of a WhatsApp conversation he had with an alleged middleman who offered to “settle” his ongoing corruption case.

He also produced pictures of a meeting he held with several individuals, allegedly over his court case.

The Tasek Gelugor MP said he wanted to furnish the “evidence” to a special parliamentary committee but did not get the opportunity to do so having been referred to the Dewan Rakyat’s privileges committee.

Wan Saiful also justified his decision not to file a complaint with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on the alleged offer, saying he did not trust the agency anymore.

The Bersatu Supreme Council member is standing trial on money laundering and corruption charges related to Jana Wibawa, a scheme introduced by the Perikatan Nasional-led government after it took over Putrajaya in February 2020.

Opposition MPs walked out of the Dewan Rakyat earlier today over a motion to refer Wan Saiful to the privileges committee over his claim. Bersatu chief whip Ronald Kiandee argued that the motion was sub judice since his court case was ongoing.

Speaker Johari Abdul, however, said the motion was not sub judice as the committee would not make any decisions on the case but simply ask Wan Saiful to explain himself to the panel.

The opposition contends that Johari’s decision was “illegal” and plans to look into the possibility of referring the Dewan Rakyat Speaker to a special parliamentary committee.