A BRIEF commotion erupted in the Dewan Rakyat today after several MPs questioned why Tasek Gelugor Member of Parliament Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan remained seated with the opposition bloc despite being expelled from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).
Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong (PH) raised the issue after Wan Saiful concluded his debate on the 2026 Budget, asking the Speaker to clarify his seating position.
“We know that Tasek Gelugor has been sacked by his party. Why is he still sitting in the same bloc? Is he now an independent MP or still in the opposition?” Khoo asked.
In response, Wan Saiful told Deputy Speaker Alice Lau that his party membership status was still pending appeal following Bersatu’s decision to expel him earlier this month.
“In our party, there is a provision that allows an appeal process. Until that process ends…” he began, before being interrupted by Khoo, who interjected, “You still want to be in Bersatu?”
Undeterred, Wan Saiful shot back, “If you want a course on the Bersatu Constitution, I can give you one. I know it well enough.”
Khoo continued his jibe, saying, “Outside you talk about Pagoh, but inside the Dewan Rakyat you still want to stay with Bersatu?”
The exchange drew attention to the ongoing internal strife within Bersatu following the expulsion of several senior figures.
On 8 October, the party’s disciplinary board terminated Wan Saiful’s membership, citing breaches of the party’s constitution and code of conduct. Four others – Mohd Azrudin Md Idris, Mohd Faizal Asmar, Mohd Fahdli Ismail and Mohd Isa Mohd Saidi – were also dismissed.
During the same sitting, Jelutong MP R.S.N. Rayer (PH) also referenced Wan Saiful’s expulsion while debating freedom of speech, after the latter criticised the government for what he described as restrictions on free expression, citing the arrest of blogger Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris, or Papagomo.
Rayer countered by suggesting that Bersatu itself lacked internal democracy, pointing to a recent circular issued by party secretary-general Datuk Seri Azmin Ali prohibiting members from attending events organised by suspended or expelled members.
He quipped that while an anti-Trump rally was allowed to proceed the day before, Bersatu members “had no freedom of speech within their own party.”
The circular has drawn criticism from within Bersatu. Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, who is currently suspended, said the directive contravened constitutional rights to freedom of association and expression.
“By prohibiting members from interacting, discussing or attending programmes linked to certain individuals, the directive restricts members’ right to socialise and exchange views freely. This goes against democratic principles,” he said on Saturday.
Wan Saiful, meanwhile, described the circular as a “desperate attempt” by Azmin to consolidate power amid waning support, claiming it was issued without the approval of Bersatu’s Supreme Council.
He also confirmed that he was under investigation by the party’s disciplinary board over allegations related to the collection of statutory declarations, which he insisted were not linked to any plot to unseat party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
“The statutory declarations were about a proposal not to discuss or nominate a prime ministerial candidate at the party’s annual general meeting,” he explained. - October 27, 2025
