Shamsul Iskandar steps down as PM’s political aide following hospital controversy

Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Bin Mohd Akin has submitted his resignation as political secretary to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. - Social media pic, November 25, 2025


Shamsul Iskandar steps down as PM’s political aide following hospital controversy



Resignation comes after calls for investigation into alleged influence on project bidding process



A. Azim Idris
Updated 47 seconds ago
25 November, 2025
5:35 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR — Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Bin Mohd Akin has submitted his resignation as political secretary to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, following allegations that he had tarnished the image of the Madani government.




In a brief statement this morning, Shamsul confirmed that he had handed in his resignation letter to the Prime Minister, expressing gratitude for the trust placed in him during his tenure.

“I have been made aware of attempts to undermine me through matters that could tarnish the image of the Madani government. As a result, I have decided to defend myself from these attacks. I have submitted my resignation letter to the Honourable Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, this morning,” Shamsul stated.

He added: “I would like to express my gratitude to the Honourable Prime Minister for the trust he has placed in me.”

The resignation follows a growing controversy regarding a letter of support issued by Shamsul in 2024, which allegedly influenced the bidding process for a hospital project.

The matter became the subject of scrutiny after former Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli called for an investigation into the matter, including a potential inquiry by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

However, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim defended his political secretary, clarifying that the letter was “ambiguous” and had no official directive status. Anwar emphasised that the approval process for the project had not been influenced by the letter, as all relevant authorities adhered to standard procedures.

During a press briefing last week, Anwar remarked: “Look at the letter first. Rafizi is taking a rather firm stance… I understand. If we want consistency, many political secretaries, both past and present, have issued similar letters.”

Anwar also stressed the importance of fairness in any actions taken, following the calls for disciplinary measures. “We must give a reprimand when necessary. That’s the process. We shouldn’t act harshly just because we disagree with someone, while being lenient with those who are aligned with us. We must be consistent,” the Prime Minister explained.

Anwar confirmed that he had reprimanded his political secretary, further noting that his office could only request reviews of such matters, as all contracts were subject to a review process without automatic support.

Shamsul’s resignation comes amid an ongoing public debate about the ethical implications of political influence in government contracts and the role of political secretaries in shaping such decisions. – November 25, 2025