Senator Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution bin Ismail (Jawi: سيف الدين ناسوتيون بن اسماعيل; born 7 December 1963) is a Malaysian politician who has served as the Minister of Home Affairs in Anwar Ibrahim Cabinet, Senator since December 2022. He served as the Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs in the Unity Government administration under former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad from July 2018 to the collapse of the PH administration in February 2020, Member of Parliament (MP) for Kulim-Bandar Baharu from May 2018 to November 2022 and for Machang from March 2008 to May 2013 as well as Member of the Penang State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Pantai Jerejak from May 2018 to August 2023 and MLA of Kedah for Lunas from November 2000 to March 2004. He is a member of the People's Justice Party (PKR), a component party of the PH coalition. He has also served as the Secretary-General of PKR from January 2010 to his resignation in October 2014 and again since November 2016 as well as the Secretary-General of PH since March 2020.
Political career
Saifuddin was initially a member of the youth wing of the ruling UMNO party but was expelled in 1999 as its assistant secretary. An ally of Anwar Ibrahim, Saifuddin then defected to the opposition KeADILan party, which later became PKR.
Saifuddin election debut was in the 1999 general election contesting the seat of Padang Serai, Kedah for PKR but lost. A year later, he won the Kedah State Assembly seat of Lunas in a 2000 by-election. However, he failed in his bid to be elevated to the federal Parliament in the 2004 election, losing to Lim Bee Kau of the Barisan Nasional in the seat of Padang Serai again. In the 2008 election, Saifuddin contested and won the federal seat of Machang in Kelantan. For the 2013 election, he returned to Kedah to contest the seat of Kulim-Bandar Baharu, but was defeated by UMNO's Abd. Aziz Sheikh Fadzir. Somehow in 2018 election, Saifuddin made a comeback to win both the Kulim-Bandar Baharu parliamentary seat and Pantai Jerejak, Penang state seat but lost his parliamentary seat in 2022. He later was appointed as senator to serve as minister in Anwar Ibrahim cabinet.
In January 2010, Saifuddin was appointed the Secretary-General of PKR, replacing Salehuddin Hashim. In 2014, he vacated the post to run for the party's deputy presidency, but was defeated by Azmin Ali. He was once again appointed to the post of PKR Secretary-General in November 2016, this time to replace Rafizi Ramli.
Controversies and issues
Comment about Kimanis detainees
On 9 December 2022, Saifuddin stated that he had been briefed by Immigration Department officials about a viral video and photos circulating on social media, depicting emaciated detainees allegedly at the Kimanis detention center who were seen appealing to be freed and speaking about their ill-treatment. He expressed that it was 'unfair' for the issue to be sensationalized and urged the media to report objectively. Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) had expressed that it was unacceptable and contrary to good governance for Saifuddin to outrightly dismiss the complaints made by a detainee in a video, instead of ordering an inquiry.
Sosma
On 13 December 2022, Saifuddin stated that a review of Sosma was unnecessary as the law was essential for addressing organized crime-related cases. He mentioned that Sosma allowed the court process to proceed. His statement drew brickbats from human rights organisations and politicians.
On 16 February 2023, Saifuddin said Sosma will be strengthened as it is still relevant for maintaining national security. Malaysians Against Death Penalty & Torture (Madpet) said that Saifuddin does not understand the rule of law and the administration of criminal justice; they also called for his resignation.
Printing Presses and Publications Act
In April 2023, several journalist groups have criticized Saifuddin for reversing Pakatan Harapan's pledge to review and repeal 'draconian Acts' such as the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA) 1984. The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) executive director, Wathshlah Naidu, stated that Putrajaya's decision to retain the law appears to be a recurring practice among elected governments that backtrack on their election pledges for their own benefit.