Bersama suspends Nik Nazmi for three months, Mais denies Jais framed him

Parti Bersama Malaysia has suspended its leader, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, from all official party activities for three months, effective 20 October 2026 until 19 January 2027, FMT and Malay Mail reported on Saturday, 17 October. The decision followed the former Setiawangsa MP's admission that he was involved in a khalwat case under investigation by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais).

The case has not gone to court. Jais is still investigating and no charge has been filed so far.

What happened

Jais director Shahzihan Ahmad confirmed that two people, a man and a woman, were detained in Petaling Jaya at about 6pm on Thursday, 15 October, to assist investigations under Section 29 of the Syariah Criminal Offences (Selangor) Enactment 1995, FMT reported. Jais did not name them at first. Offenders face a maximum fine of RM3,000, up to two years' jail, or both.

On Saturday, Nik Nazmi publicly confirmed he was the man. He said he and a colleague had been discussing a project at their studio in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, before moving to Petaling Jaya to review materials. When Jais officers arrived, only he and the woman were present.

"I acknowledge that this was an offence," he said, as quoted by FMT. He said they did not commit any immoral acts and had told the Jais officer so at the time. He apologised to his wife, his family and Bersama, and said he would cooperate with any legal process.

Bersama's decision

In a statement by Syukri Razab, Bersama said it viewed the matter seriously and considered the suspension "necessary and reasonable". The party said the decision did not diminish Nik Nazmi's contributions since Bersama was relaunched in May 2026. Nik Nazmi said he would accept the party's decision.

Mais and PKR deny a frame-up

Claims that the case was a political set-up circulated after the detention. The reports cited here do not say who began them.

Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) chairman Datuk Salehuddin Saidin said Jais acted on an official complaint and followed legal procedure, without manipulating the situation to target anyone. "The suggestion that the religious department was involved in manipulation or anything of the sort is entirely untrue," he told reporters in Shah Alam. He said Jais would bring charges in court if there is clear evidence, and asked the public to give it time to finish its investigation.

PKR vice-president and Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari also denied that PKR had arranged the case to undermine a political rival. "We have many other things to do than arrange khalwat cases. That is not our job," he said, according to Harian Metro and Malay Mail. Nik Nazmi was a PKR member for almost 21 years until he left in May.

What to watch

The suspension ends on 19 January 2027. Whether Jais will charge Nik Nazmi in the Syariah Court is not yet known. Readers following Selangor politics may also want PKR confirms nine Melaka seats, Pakatan to name candidates on 24 October, since Amirudin leads PH's election strategy for the Melaka polls.

Sources

• FMT, Bersama suspends Nik Nazmi for 3 months, 17 October 2026
• FMT, Nik Nazmi confirms detained by Jais for alleged khalwat, 17 October 2026
• FMT, Nik Nazmi was not framed in khalwat case, says Mais, 17 October 2026
• Malay Mail, That is not our job: Amirudin rejects claims PKR plotted khalwat trap, 17 October 2026
• Harian Metro, Kita ada banyak kerja lain daripada nak atur khalwat - Amirudin, 17 October 2026