Politics / News

TASEK Gelugor MP Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan said he was called in by police today for questioning in relation to an investigation linked to a report involving the family of the late Tun Daim Zainuddin and the alleged manipulation of international media.

He said he did not know why he had been summoned and questioned whether the move was intended to associate the Opposition with the matter.

Wan Saiful criticised the investigation under Section 124B of the Penal Code, which relates to activities deemed detrimental to parliamentary democracy, calling it an abuse of power by the Unity Government.

He cited a Hansard record dated April 17, 2012, which quoted a minister as saying such activities referred to violent or unconstitutional attempts to topple the democratically elected parliamentary institution, Free Malaysia Today (FMT) reported.

“How can media reports or public campaigns then be classified as activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy?”

Several academics and members of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) had also been summoned by the police in connection with the matter, Wan Saiful added.

Bukit Aman had earlier said it was investigating allegations of an attempt by certain individuals to overthrow the government and threaten national stability, following a police report claiming that members of a prominent family had engaged a UK-based firm to pressure the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim through international media.

The post Wan Saiful questioned by police over probe linked to Daim’s family appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.

PARTI Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia is facing a leadership dilemma as it considers disciplinary action against members aligned with former party leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (picture) following his expulsion from the party.

International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) senior lecturer and political analyst Assoc Prof Syaza Shukri of said the party risks negative consequences if it adopts either an overly harsh or overly cautious approach in dealing with Hamzah’s supporters.

She said the situation would test the ability of Bersatu’s leadership to maintain unity and control within the party following Hamzah’s expulsion.

Syaza said that taking strict action against MPs or assemblymen aligned with Hamzah could push some leaders and grassroots members out of the party.

“If Bersatu comes down too hard on Hamzah’s supporters, it risks pushing out some leaders, which could prompt grassroots members to leave the party,” she told Free Malaysia Today (FMT).

However, she added that a cautious stance could also create the perception that Hamzah continues to wield significant influence within the party.

She also questioned what steps the party leadership might take to persuade Hamzah’s supporters to back party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin if they are not expelled.

Bersatu sacked 17 leaders, including Hamzah, on Feb 13 following a prolonged internal dispute between the former opposition leader and Muhyiddin.

Global Asia Consulting senior consultant Dr Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri said the party should avoid reacting in ways that could appear to follow Hamzah’s lead, warning that doing so could weaken the party’s institutional standing and affect grassroots morale.

He added that Hamzah was still attempting to demonstrate his influence within Bersatu, and said the party must emphasise loyalty to the organisation rather than to individuals.

The post Bersatu faces leadership test over action against Hamzah loyalists appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.