KUALA LUMPUR: A shouting match broke out in the Dewan Rakyat when an Opposition MP claimed he had been repeatedly induced to pledge support for the Prime Minister.

While debating the motion of thanks on the Royal Address on Wednesday (Feb 28), Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan (PN-Tasek Gelugor) alleged that if he had thrown support behind Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, he would be offered RM1.7mil in allocations, among others.

ALSO READ: Don’t bring squabbles into Parliament, MPs warned

“The repeated message was that I must support Tambun as Prime Minister and I would receive parliamentary allocations.

“They said allocations for government projects could also be distributed to my cronies. They know I’m having a hard time, with my wife also having cancer,” he said.

Wan Saiful also claimed that charges against him would be dropped if he pledged support. He is facing money laundering and corruption charges related to the Jana Wibawa project.

“They contacted me repeatedly until I decided to meet them one day,” he said, alleging that several meetings took place at hotels in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya.

ALSO READ: Speaker will take stern action against any misbehaviour, King warns MPs

“I had to entertain their requests, as they had the power and I didn’t know what they could do to me,” he said.

Government backbenchers then interjected, saying these were malicious accusations.

They added that if the accusations were true, Wan Saiful should lodge a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

“Don’t hide behind immunity in the hall. Hold a press conference outside. You are making false claims,” said Chong Zhemin (PH-Kampar).

Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul then stepped in, saying Wan Saiful’s claims were seemingly hearsay.

“We cannot bring this into the hall.

“It’s always about what ‘they' said. You can’t do that,” Johari said, adding that he could not verify the validity of the matter.

Johari then instructed Wan Saiful to wrap up his debate so proceedings could continue.