Kuala Lumpur, El Sky News – A tense atmosphere swept through the Malaysian Parliament on 26 November 2025 when opposition lawmakers directly accused Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) of harbouring corrupt practices. The accusations—raised during the debate on the Home Ministry’s budget—prompted immediate objections from government MPs and ultimately forced the Deputy Speaker to intervene to restore order in the chamber.
The commotion began when Besut MP Che Mohamad Zulkifly questioned the government’s anti-corruption agenda, citing the recent resignation of Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, the Prime Minister’s senior political secretary, following allegations involving him and a businessman. Another opposition MP amplified the claim by pressing whether corruption existed within PKR, to which Che Mohamad Zulkifly responded affirmatively. The statement immediately drew protests from government benches, who argued that sweeping accusations towards an entire political party violated parliamentary rules.
Deputy Speaker Datuk Dr Ramli Mohd Nor subsequently ruled that the remark constituted an improper insinuation under Standing Order 36(6), which prohibits MPs from making unfounded allegations against any member or group represented in the House. He stressed that naming a party amounted to accusing all its representatives in Parliament and instructed the opposition MP to withdraw the statement. Che Mohamad Zulkifly eventually complied but insisted that his criticism was directed only at specific individuals, not the whole party.
The incident has reignited debate over the boundaries of parliamentary speech and accountability. The opposition maintains that the government must demonstrate genuine commitment to combating corruption, particularly when allegations emerge from within the Prime Minister’s inner circle. Meanwhile, government MPs argue that accusations must be supported by credible evidence and pursued through proper investigative channels, not used as political ammunition during debates.
Observers note that the heated episode reflects growing public scrutiny over integrity in national governance. As investigations relating to the former political secretary continue, the incident is expected to heighten pressure on both government and opposition leaders to show consistency, transparency, and adherence to due process in Malaysia’s evolving political landscape.
