It was a political talk that went south the minute Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad opened his mouth.
The Deputy Youth and Sports Minister openly declared he will “use his power” to issue letters of support for those who vote for him in the upcoming Bersatu elections.
This irked many and Wan Ahmad Fayhsal’s boss Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican is expected to have a word with him.
Reezal, who tried to be diplomatic about the incident, clarified the Youth and Sports Ministry has its set of rules and regulations which must be followed by all.
“Decisions made within the ministry are based on these strict rules and regulations, through proper process and procedures,” said Reezal.
Asked if he will talk to Wan Ahmad Fayhsal over the matter, Reezal said he “will have a word with him to clarify what he meant by his recent remarks.”
As at press time, neither Bersatu nor the Prime Minister’s Office had issued a statement regarding the matter.
Wan Ahmad Fayhsal, who is challenging Mohd Muzammil Ismail for Armada’s top post, told a group of supporters in a widely shared video they should vote for him in the elections on Sept 27. Armada is Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s youth wing.
In return, he promised them letters of support in his capacity as a deputy minister and party youth chief which he would copy to the prime minister – Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is Bersatu president, as reported by The Mole.
This is seen by many as an abuse of power.
According to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act, Section 10 (aa) and (bb), any person who by himself or in conjunction with any other person, offers any gratification as an inducement or reward for, or otherwise on account of any officer of a public body shall be guilty of an offence.
By implicating Muhyiddin, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal indirectly said the premier condones “letters of support”.
This, however, is something Muhyiddin had promised to eradicate when he was sworn in as part of the Pakatan Harapan government in 2018.
In fact, Johor Baru MP Akmal Nasir has gone a step further by urging Armada members to lodge a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over the video clip.
Akmal, who is also PKR Youth chief, had during a press conference in Parliament, described it as akin to open bribery.
“If the prime minister isn’t going to advise him (Wan Ahmad Fayhsal), at least the youth and sports minister should reprimand him …. he cannot use his position for political interests,” Akmal said.
Wan Ahmad Fayhsal, who once served as the former special officer to the previous Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, had not too long ago raised eyebrows by meeting ex-footballer Khalid Jamlus. This was following the former international’s decision to sell some of his memorabilia, including his Golden Boot award, to raise money.
Nothing came out of that meeting as the 33-year-old Wan Ahmad Fayhsal was instead criticised for the preferential treatment towards Khalid as there are many other former athletes who deserve help.
Here’s a round-up of The News Normal today.
LIM GUAN ENG PLEADS NOT GUILTY
Lim Guan Eng said he is baffled he is being charged with using his position as Penang chief minister to receive gratification of more than RM3.3 million to help a company to secure the RM6.3 billion Penang undersea tunnel project.
He said he is ready to clear his name and prove that he is not guilty. He had also pleaded not guilty on Friday at the KL Sessions Court with soliciting gratification to help the company to secure the Penang roads and undersea tunnel project.
LOWER QUARANTINE COST
Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said those quarantined at public training institutes will now only have to pay RM100 a day instead of RM150.
Children below 12 can stay in the same room as their parents and will be charged RM50 a day for meals.
The government has also agreed to give exemptions on quarantine charges to those from the B40 category, individuals released from prisons in neighbouring countries returning to Malaysia and those employed overseas but have been laid off.
HISHAMMUDDIN PAYS VAPING FINE
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein has paid a fine for vaping in the Dewan Rakyat.
Those smoking in prohibited areas, including all eateries, will be compounded RM250. Failure to pay the compound could lead to a person being charged in court, where they are liable for a maximum fine of RM10,000 or two years in jail.
CHANGES FOR THE BETTER IN NATIONAL RUGBY SCENE
Wong Wye Wye or more popularly known as Marc Le, said there is a big future for rugby in the country.
He said this during The RSS with HD talk show where he also addressed his decision to leave the national stable days before the Asia Rugby Championship campaign.
Wong, who turned 34 on Aug 6, said he hopes to be a mentor for the younger players in the national team.
