Wan Saiful ran for election in the 2018 Malaysian general election, contesting the Pendang[4] parliamentary seat for the Pakatan Harapan coalition (appearing on the ballot under the People's Justice Party symbol). Wan Saiful's opponents were Awang Hashim of the Idea of Peace (PAS), Othman Abdul of the Barisan Nasional (UMNO) and Abdul Malik. Manaf, an Independent candidate. In the four-cornered contest, Wan Saiful only got 14,901 votes, the third highest after Awang Hashim and Othman Abdul. Wan Saiful then won the Tasek Gelugor parliamentary seat in the 2022 Malaysian general election, winning 46% of the vote in a five-cornered fight.
United Kingdom
Prior with being active in Malaysian politics, Wan Saiful had a short political stint during his time living in the UK from 1993 to 2009. He was a former member of the UK Conservative Party back in 2005 and participated in the election of the Luton City Council member as a candidate of the Conservative Party in 2007.[5] Wan Saiful and Howard Lee are the only two notable Malaysian politicians who had contested in the UK local elections, with Howard Lee contesting in Norwich. Both are currently members of parliament in the Dewan Rakyat, with Howard Lee representing the Ipoh Timor constituency.
Controversies
On 21 February 2023, Wan Saiful was charged with corruption related to the Jana Wibawa programme.[6] The next day, he resigned as the BERSATU Information Chief and it was accepted by BERSATU President Muhyiddin Yassin. He appealed to the public not to link him with the "court cluster" (referring to Deputy Prime MinisterAhmad Zahid Hamidi and others who were facing court charges) in the government led by Prime MinisterAnwar Ibrahim.
On 28 February 2024, Wan Saiful, as the Tasek Gelugor MP, alleged that he was offered RM 1.7 million to declare support for Prime Minister Anwar and his government during a debate and speech in Parliament. Government backbenchers Kampar MP Chong Zhemin, Jelutong MP RSN Rayer, Ipoh Timor MP Howard Lee Chuan How, Sungai Petani MP Mohammed Taufiq Johari, Hulu Langat MP Mohd Sany Hamzan among others challenged Wan Saiful to lodge reports to the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) if he was brave enough to do so. He also alleged that the person who was corrupt and abused his power would have an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong before the Cabinet meeting every week. It was believed that he was referring to Prime Minister Anwar who was practising the convention of having a weekly audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong prior to the Cabinet meeting without naming him. Wan Saiful then retracted his remarks after being ordered by Speaker of the Dewan RakyatJohari Abdul and requested by the government backbenchers to do so. On 29 January 2024, Chief Commissioner of MACC Azam Baki rubbished the allegations. On 4 March 2024, he further warned Wan Saiful to report the bribe attempts to the MACC by 10 March 2024 or appropriate actions would be taken against him.[7] On 5 March 2024, Wan Saiful admitted that he was referring to Prime Minister Anwar, made an apology to Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim and Anwar for making the allegations during his debate in Parliament and once again retracted his remarks. Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid then withdrew a parliamentary motion to suspend Wan Saiful as an MP for six months following his allegations and remarks. On 9 March 2024, Leader of the Opposition and Larut MP Hamzah Zainudin added that the MACC had no rights to dictate anyone on the timing to lodge a report in response to the warning of Azam and defence of Wan Saiful.[8]
