KUALA LUMPUR (July 18): Machang Member of Parliament Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal has been suspended from the Dewan Rakyat for six months with immediate effect for referencing an anonymous letter during earlier debates this month.

The motion to suspend Wan Ahmad Fayhsal, tabled by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, was passed through a bloc vote in the lower house. There were 110 votes in support, 64 against, with three abstentions, and 46 MPs were absent.

Wan Ahmad Fayhsal had cited the anonymous letter, or surat laying, during the debate on the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) report on July 1 and named an Employees Provident Fund (EPF) officer purportedly involved in the Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) (KL:AIRPORT) privatisation deal.

MPs must refrain from mentioning the behaviour or character of any government official beyond their official conduct. Wan Ahmad Fayhsal's allegations were seen as disparaging agency officers involved in the country's development, potentially inciting opposition against the government, according to the motion.

The motion proposed that Wan Ahmad Fayhsal be suspended from parliamentary and select committee duties for six months from the date of approval.

In May, Khazanah Nasional Bhd, EPF, New York-based Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) announced a conditional offer to acquire all remaining shares in MAHB through Gateway Development Alliance Sdn Bhd (GDA) at RM11 per share.

Upon completion, GDA will wholly own MAHB, with Khazanah holding 40%, EPF 30%, and GIP Aurea Pte Ltd 30% (83.33% owned by GIP and 16.67% by ADIA), giving GIP an effective 25% stake in GDA and ADIA 5%.

The deal has been in the spotlight due to US-based investment company BlackRock's involvement amid accusations related to the Palestinian situation.

Don’t cite anonymous letters, says Azalina

In her winding-up speech, Azalina emphasised the need for the house to prevent MPs from citing anonymous letters in debates to avoid setting a harmful precedent.

"When speeches from Machang go viral in the house, it appears as if the house endorses his statements,” Azalina said. “Who will defend the officers accused by him?"

She stressed that elected representatives must be accountable for their actions and should not act above the law.

Following the Speaker's announcement of the suspension based on the vote, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal was heard shouting, "I will not surrender in fighting," before his microphone was cut off.

With the motion approved by the house, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal will miss the upcoming budget session of Parliament scheduled from Oct 14 to Dec 12.