MUHYIDDIN Yassin has accepted Wan Saiful Wan Jan’s resignation as Bersatu information chief.

The Bersatu president said he met the Tasek Gelugor MP and had accepted his offer to relinquish his position, not because the latter was guilty, but claimed it was to set a standard since charges were brought against him.

“I met with Wan Saiful earlier today and I agreed to accept his resignation. 

“It will be effective today,” the Perikatan Nasional chairman told reporters at Parliament today after meeting Wan Saiful.

Earlier, Wan Saiful said he had offered to step down as Bersatu information chief following his corruption charges. 

Yesterday, the Tasek Gelugor MP claimed trial to the charge of accepting almost RM7 million in kickbacks in connection with the Jana Wibawa aid programme. 

The senior Bersatu member was also charged with soliciting for RM232 million in bribes in relation to the same programme to help highly placed Bumiputera contractors affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The two charges were framed under section 16(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009. The offences are punishable by up to 20 years in jail and a fine of not less than five times the amount of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

Wan Saiful pleaded not guilty to the charges read out to him in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court before Justice Azura Alwi.

He said he was looking forward to proving his innocence in court. – February 22, 2023.