Saifuddin: 'No need’ for govt to intimidate Kuala Kangsar MP

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail today said there was “no need” for the government to allegedly intimidate Kuala Kangsar MP Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid into supporting Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership.

Saifuddin said this was because the government bench in the Dewan Rakyat already has enough numbers with 147 MPs to pass the Supply Bill 2024 and beyond.

“My response to the media is, it (alleged threat) did not happen at all. That is a wild allegation.

“What is our need (to threaten)? We now have the support of 147 MPs,” he said during a press conference at World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur.

"If it was just to pass the budget and beyond, I think that (147) is adequate,” said Saifuddin, who earlier co-chaired the ninth meeting of an inter-ministry joint committee on foreign workers management with Human Resources Minister V Sivakumar.

Burden of proof

Saifuddin also reiterated that the burden of proof lies in the hands of Perikatan Nasional secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin who first alleged that Iskandar was "intimidated and blackmailed" into supporting Anwar's leadership or risk facing corruption charges.

"The burden of proof falls on the party that makes the claim," the PKR secretary-general said when asked for comments on Damansara MP Gobind Singh Deo’s suggestion for Iskandar to be summoned by Parliament and explain his position in supporting Anwar.

On Monday, Gobind cited Section 4 of the Houses of Parliament (Privileges and Powers) Act 1952 which grants the house powers for enquiring into, judging and pronouncing upon the commission of any acts punishable as contempt under Section 29 of the same Act.

On Oct 12, Iskandar voiced support for Anwar's premiership, citing the rising cost of living in his constituency.

He said his decision was also meant to test whether the prime minister was sincere in providing allocation to any MP who supports the unity government’s policies.

MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki has denied the allegation.

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