Malaysia

Tasek Gelugor MP questions police summons over alleged plot to undermine parliament

Wan Saiful Wan Jan raises concerns over interpretation of Sedition-like law and media scrutiny

Updated 5 months ago · Published on 11 Mar 2026 11:50AM

Tasek Gelugor MP questions police summons over alleged plot to undermine parliament
Wan Saiful says he was told that several colleagues from academia and NGOs have already been called in by the police to give statements - March 11, 2026

TASEK Gelugor Member of Parliament Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan revealed that he had been summoned by authorities in connection with an investigation into an alleged attempt to topple the government.

In a statement, Wan Saiful said the purpose of the summons was unclear, but he was informed that it related to Section 124B of the Penal Code concerning a police report claiming activities that could undermine Malaysia’s parliamentary democracy.

“I have been informed that several colleagues from academia and NGOs have already been called in by the police to give statements. I am also due to provide my testimony today, but I am unsure why I was summoned,” he said.

“I wonder whether this is an attempt to link the opposition to this issue.”

Wan Saiful explained that Section 124B pertains to unconstitutional violent activities aimed at overthrowing parliamentary institutions chosen through democratic elections.

He indicated that the matter is tied to a viral police report online alleging discussions between the family of the late Tun Daim Zainuddin and a foreign firm intended to use international media for purportedly improper purposes.

“I believe the police report was filed by a media editor who also operates a public relations consultancy.

“I know this individual had offered PR services to Toh Puan Na’imah (Abdul Khalid), widow of the late Daim, to address accusations against her and her family, but the offer was declined.

“I do not rule out that the report was lodged in retaliation, and if that is the motive, it raises questions over the integrity of this person’s PR consultancy and media operations,” he said. 

Toh Puan Na’imah has denied the claims made by the media editor.

Wan Saiful questioned how media activity or public campaigns could suddenly be investigated under this section.

“The definition of ‘undermining parliamentary democracy’ has been debated by opposition MPs, including the current Home Minister, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who has expressed concern that a broad definition could be abused by authorities.

This raises a fundamental question: how can media reports or public campaigns be classified as activities that ‘undermine parliamentary democracy’?

“Does this include political campaigns or criticism of the government reported in the press?” he asked.

He expressed concern that media practitioners who fail to secure contracts might exploit information to create difficulties for clients who rejected them.

“This risks eroding public trust in the media, which should serve as the fourth pillar of democracy. All Malaysians have the right to defend themselves and correct narratives lawfully through mass media or other appropriate channels,” he added. - March 11, 2026

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