Syed Saddiq called in by MACC

Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s Parliament session was cut short today after he was summoned by the MACC to assist in its investigations.

This is believed to be in relation to the probe over the missing cash from the lawmaker’s home.

“I had to leave Parliament a little early today as I was called in by the MACC to assist in investigations.

“I am ready and will always cooperate fully with the MACC. My parents, entire family and I have long ago declared our assets to ensure transparency,” he tweeted.

The former youth and sports minister lodged a police report after allegedly finding the cash, amounting to RM250,000, missing from a safe in his Petaling Jaya home on the night of March 25.

In a subsequent tweet, he said: “I have always acted with honesty and courage due to the truth.”

Meanwhile, his lawyer Rafique Rashid Ali said he hoped the MACC would take heed of ongoing Dewan Rakyat proceedings when summoning people for questioning.

“Urgent motions are up for debate including one which is a no-confidence vote on the prime minister.

“MACC must surely understand that at the very least, Syed Saddiq is an MP and he should not be barred (prevented) from attending Parliament. It sets a bad precedent,” he told Malaysiakini.

The case came amidst leadership tussle in Bersatu of which Syed Saddiq was the youth chief, as disputed party chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad is engaged in a power tussle with party president Muhyiddin Yassin.

The Bersatu Youth faction aligned with Mahathir had accused the MACC of persecuting opponents of the Perikatan Nasional government.

However, the MACC had denied any political motivation, stating that it was merely investigating the case.

To date, several people have been called in by the anti-graft body over the case, including Bersatu Youth information chief Ulya Aqamah Husamudin.

Bersatu Youth member Adam Mukhriz Mohd Muhayeddin and Syed Saddiq's aide Siti Nurul Hidayah had previously lodged police reports alleging intimidation by MACC officers while being questioned as witnesses to the investigation.

Meanwhile, Syed Saddiq’s parents were reportedly called in four times to assist in the probe.

The dispute in Bersatu came about after Muhyiddin’s faction took the party out of the then-ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition against Mahathir’s wishes.

Muhyiddin then replaced Mahathir as the prime minister with the formation of a new PN government with rogue PKR MPs, BN and PAS, among others. - Mkini