Malaysian ex-minister Nik Nazmi suspended from Bersama party activities after alleged khalwat case
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Former Malaysian minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said he would cooperate in all legal proceedings and urged all parties to respect the legal process.
PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
- Bersama Malaysia suspended former minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad from party activities for three months after his admission in a suspected khalwat case.
- Nik Nazmi said he was with a woman at a Petaling Jaya residence for a project discussion and admitted the offence, but denied any improper conduct.
- He apologised to his wife, families and Bersama supporters, and said he would cooperate with legal proceedings and respect the process.
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PETALING JAYA – Former Malaysian minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad has been suspended from all official Parti Bersama Malaysia activities for three months, effective from Oct 20, following his admission of involvement in a suspected khalwat case.
In a statement on Oct 17, Bersama president Syukri Razab said the party took the matter seriously and believed that issues involving its leadership and members must be addressed appropriately to safeguard its integrity, credibility and public confidence.
The suspension will last until Jan 19, 2027.
Syukri said the decision was necessary and reasonable, while acknowledging Nik Nazmi’s contributions and commitment to Bersama’s cause since the party was relaunched in May 2026.
Nik Nazmi confirmed that he was one of two individuals detained by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) over an alleged khalwat (close proximity) case.
Nik Nazmi, who helms Bersama, said he was at a residence in Petaling Jaya on Oct 15 with a woman after they decided to continue a discussion about a project there.
“We had initially started the discussion with friends at a studio in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, before moving to Petaling Jaya to view some materials related to the project.
“When JAIS officials arrived, only the woman and I were there. I admit that this was an offence,” he said in a statement on Oct 17.
“Like what I told the officials, we did not engage in any improper conduct that could raise suspicion.”
Nik Nazmi also apologised to his wife, both their families and others affected by what he described as “a lapse in judgment”.
He also apologised to Bersama, saying he had disappointed the party’s members and supporters, and that he would accept whatever decision the party made.
He added that he would cooperate in all legal proceedings and urged all parties to respect the legal process and refrain from prolonging the matter through the media.
It was reported that a 44-year-old politician was detained at about 6pm on Oct 15.
A source reportedly said a five-member JAIS enforcement team entered the residence and found the politician and the woman inside.
Both were taken to the JAIS office in Shah Alam for documentation purposes. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK