The Perikatan Nasional secretary-general alleged that this was the latest attempt by the Anwar Ibrahim administration to tarnish the reputation and perception of Bersatu leaders, having failed to do so previously.

“The charge levelled against my son is part of a series of political character assassinations actually aimed at me as the opposition leader.

“I believe that truth will overcome falsehood and injustice at the end of the day,” Hamzah said in a statement.

Earlier today, the Larut MP’s son claimed trial at the sessions court in Kuala Lumpur to a charge of accepting a bribe of RM100,000.

Faisal was charged with accepting the sum from Izmir Hamid to secure the appointment of Rimba Merpati Sdn Bhd and Syarikat Per My Solutions as marketing consultants to HeiTech Padu Bhd.

The 40-year-old was accused of committing the offence in March 2018 at an office near Publika Shopping Gallery in Kuala Lumpur.

The alleged offence was said to be linked to the purported award to technology services firm HeiTech Padu of a RM33 million tender by the Companies Commission of Malaysia for the supply, rental, implementation, training, support and maintenance of IT security infrastructure.

If convicted, he faces imprisonment for a term of up to 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the value of the gratification received.

Last year, Faisal claimed trial in the Seremban sessions court to a charge of providing false information in connection with cooking oil subsidies.