KUALA LUMPUR: Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama) has suspended its co-founder Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad from all official party activities for three months.
The decision follows his admission that he was detained by religious authorities on suspicion of khalwat (close proximity) in Petaling Jaya on Oct 15.
The suspension takes effect from Oct 20 until Jan 19, 2027.
Bersama president Syukri Razab said the party took note of Nik Nazmi's admission and viewed the matter seriously.
He said issues involving party leaders and members must be addressed appropriately to safeguard the party's integrity, credibility and public confidence.
"Bersama takes this development seriously and maintains that every issue involving the party's leadership and members must be handled appropriately to preserve the party's integrity, credibility and public trust," he said in a statement today.
Syukri said the suspension was necessary and reasonable.
However, he stressed that the decision did not diminish Nik Nazmi's contributions and commitment to the party since its relaunch in May this year.
https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/10/1557338/nik-nazmi-admits-being-detained-khalwat-apologises-wife-bersama-watch#google_vignette
Nik Nazmi, a former natural resources and environmental sustainability minister, earlier admitted that he was one of two people detained by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) on suspicion of khalwat in Petaling Jaya on Oct 15.
He said he was with a woman when Jais officers arrived but denied that they had committed any indecent acts.
"I admit that it was a mistake. As I also informed the Jais officer, we indeed did not commit any indecent acts that would raise suspicion," he said in an earlier statement.
Nik Nazmi said he and his friends had initially held a discussion at a studio in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, before continuing it in Petaling Jaya to review materials related to a project.
He said only he and the woman were present when Jais officers arrived.
He apologised to his wife, family, Bersama members and supporters over the incident, acknowledging that his lapse in judgement had affected the party.
He also pledged to cooperate fully with any legal proceedings and said he would accept any decision made by the party leadership.
Jais director Datuk Mohd Shahzihan Ahmad had confirmed the detention.
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