Wan duo: Bersatu not for one person to save their family

Freshly sacked from Bersatu, Wan Saiful Wan Jan has issued a stern reminder to Bersatu’s leadership, warning them that the party is not intended to be used for personal or family interests.

Wan Saiful said he and fellow Bersatu MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal - who has been suspended from the party - remain dedicated to furthering Bersatu’s cause, despite attempts by “certain quarters” to sideline them.

“Bersatu, Perikatan Nasional, does not belong to any one individual (or) figure.

“It cannot be used and exploited by anyone (who wishes to) save themself or their family member,” Wan Saiful told a press conference in Parliament today.

Earlier today, Bersatu’s disciplinary board announced that it had sacked the Tasek Gelugor MP as well as four party division chiefs, and suspended Wan Fayhsal for one term, over violations of the party constitution and its Code of Ethics and Conduct.

While the board did not detail the violations, it is believed that Wan Saiful and the others were expelled in connection with a recent attempt to pressure Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin into handing over party leadership to his deputy Hamzah Zainudin.

Wan Fayhsal, who had also come under party investigation, had previously denied involvement in the power play but did not reveal any details except that it had to do with “internal party matters related to the previous election”.

‘Such efficient service’

Speaking to reporters today, Wan Saiful took a jab at the party’s disciplinary board in affirming that he and Wan Fayhsal had received a letter on the board’s decision at around 10pm last night via WhatsApp.

“Such efficient service - I commend the speed and effectiveness (of the board), even willing to work late into the night.

“The complaint against me was filed on Sept 18, and I received the first notice on Sept 21, which summoned me for a hearing on Sept 25. I congratulate and am very proud of my party’s ability to carry out work so effectively,” he mocked.

He added that he and Wan Fayhsal will be looking into the board’s decision before determining their next step, including whether they will be filing an appeal against the verdict.

“We can assure that we will remain steadfast in Bersatu’s struggles (as) we built this party together with grassroots members and division leaders who have sacrificed so much to strengthen the party,” he added.

‘Loss to PN’

Wan Fayhsal, who was also present at the press conference, claimed that something was “not right” in the party, lamenting how supposed support shored up by Bersatu recently could potentially take a hit due to the action against him and other party figures.

“What has happened to us is incredibly disappointing and a loss to PN, particularly amid the upcoming Sabah state election… I question the decision of those who decided to rush through justice, which is an injustice, actually.

“Yesterday, the opposition leader’s (Hamzah) debate in Parliament was very interesting and well-accepted by the rakyat, (but) suddenly today, when there is news (of Bersatu’s action against its members), the momentum (established by Hamzah) is drowned,” he said.

He added that the duo had received “hundreds” of well-wishes from other opposition and government MPs once word got out about their respective suspension and sacking from the party.

“(The MPs) contacted us to state their sympathy and support, which shows that we’re not alone. So, we will fight those we deem to be ‘tali barut’ (agents) who are trying to orchestrate something against us,” Wan Fayhsal vowed.

Dewan seat change

Responding to queries on his MP status, Wan Saiful said he will continue his tasks as a lawmaker, as the anti-hopping law has not been triggered since he was sacked from his party without joining another party.

“I’m officially an independent candidate, but I’m not sure about Wan Fayhsal… Tanjong Karang MP (Zulkafperi Hanapi) previously asked me to sit beside him (in the Dewan Rakyat), it looks like that might be happening,” Wan Saiful said in jest.

He clarified, however, that he is unsure if Bersatu has written to the Dewan Rakyat speaker to inform the latter of his sacking, noting that he will allow the party to decide on whether his seating position in the Dewan should be changed.

Zulkafperi was one of six Bersatu MPs who had declared their support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim last year, causing their seats in the lower house to be moved to indicate their defection from the opposition bloc.

Reporting by Qistina Nadia Dzulqarnain, Hariz Mohd, Dania Kamal Aryf, Haspaizi Zain

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