He admitted to meeting with the former chief of the party’s youth wing, which is also known as Armada, in a “friendly and personal capacity”.

“I consider him a friend, brother and comrade,” he said, adding that Syed Saddiq, the former youth and sports minister, still played an active role among youths.

Wan Fayhsal, who is deputy youth and sports minister, said the meeting was to ask Syed Saddiq to set aside political rivalry and unite youths to build the country.

“But I deny allegations that I made any offer or threatened him. That is not true.”

Syed Saddiq had tweeted yesterday that the youth chief had tried to persuade him to support the prime minister.

Syed Saddiq also posted a one-minute video in which he said those who want to threaten him are free to do so but he would not buckle under pressure.

“The truth will prevail,” he said.

Today, Syed Saddiq pleaded not guilty to two charges of money laundering amounting to RM50,000 each.

The Muar MP was charged in the sessions court here this morning under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

Wan Fayhsal also denied the charges were fabricated, as claimed by the Muar MP.

“If he is confident that he is innocent, the court is the best forum to prove it,” Wan Fayhsal said.

If convicted, Syed Saddiq faces imprisonment of up to 15 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount of the ill-gotten gain, or RM5 million, whichever is higher.

For both charges, Syed Saddiq is alleged to have transferred a total of RM100,000 in illegal funds from his Maybank Islamic Bhd account into his Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB) account.

The act was allegedly committed at the Maybank branch on Jalan Persisiran Perling, Taman Perling here on June 18 and June 19, 2018.