NO police reports have been lodged so far despite claims some parties have been threatened and offered bribes to express their support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said.

He said there had been indeed coercions to do so, the affected parties should provide evidence and lodge a report.

He also said neither the prime minister nor members of the cabinet were involved in threatening or offering bribes to opposition lawmakers for them to declare their support for Anwar.

“The prime minister and the home minister stressed that anyone who has a different view, can lodge a report, produce evidence and we will evaluate it, but so far there is no (police report),” he told reporters after attending the 2023 Nordic Day Celebration last night.

He was commenting on the actions of four Bersatu MPs – Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Dr Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang) and Zahari Kechik (Jeli), who expressed support for the Anwar.

Regarding Bukit Gantang MP Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal’s statement that he will support Anwar if allocations are given for his constituency, Fahmi once again insisted that there is no offer or reward to anyone who wants to support the prime minister.

Fahmi said he had not expected the increase in support.

“It seems that what is happening now is the complete reverse of what was expected… I can honestly say I did not expect the support for the prime minister to increase to 151.

“So, it is not the unity government that is facing internal conflict, but maybe some parties in the opposition currently in turmoil,” he said.

However, he said the government will not take advantage of the situation but will continue with all efforts and policies that have been announced including the Madani Economy framework.

Commenting on Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, who was sentenced to seven years in prison, two strokes of the rotan and a RM10 million fine by the High Court yesterday, Fahmi said it was the court’s independent decision.

“I believe everyone respects the court’s decision today (yesterday). I wish to remind you that this is a ruling of a judicial institution done independently. There is no interference from any party, let alone interference from the executive.

“However, there is still a further process and he has also stated that he will appeal,” he said.

“I sympathise with him, I know him and even before the last 15th general election, PKR had ordered me to be one of the leaders to liaise with Muda, so we discussed a lot before GE15,” he added. – Bernama, November 10, 2023.