Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun has been urged to refrain from suing a Bersatu Youth member over the Ramadan bazaar controversy until official investigations into the case are concluded.

Former DAP Johor chief Boo Cheng Hau said legal action against Bukit Bintang Bersatu Youth chief Mohd Noorhisyam Abd Karim at this juncture would influence independent investigations by the authorities concerned.

“As a senior MP within the ruling Harapan, one has to be more tolerant towards public scrutiny regarding his or her conduct.

“(There are an) excessive number of lawsuits by politicians against party members and the general public for criticism of their integrity, and such conduct goes against the effort to fight cronyism and corruption while politicians are subject to a higher standard for transparency in conduct,” he said in a statement.

Boo was referring to Fong and Bersatu Youth chief Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman calling for investigations into alleged corruption over the allocation of Ramadan bazaar trading lots at Jalan Masjid India, Kuala Lumpur.

Fong was reported saying he intends to take legal action against Noorhisyam for “misusing his name” after he gave a support letter to the Bersatu member.

Last week, Noorhisyam denied taking money from traders at the said bazaar and is mulling lodging a police report on the matter.

Fong last week explained he had written a support letter for Noorhisyam at the latter's request on June 5.

This was to help traders who had failed to get a lot for the bazaar from the Kuala Lumpur City Council (DBKL), to appeal for permission from the council to operate there during the holy month.

Fong said other than DBKL charges, the Bersatu leader had promised him that no money would be collected.

"He promised they would not collect money and they would not obstruct the shops. I gave him a support letter to help hawkers who could not get a license from DBKL," said the five-term MP.

Fong added the final approving body for the said group of traders to operate would be DBKL.

The MP said he would investigate the matter further and would not tolerate any form of such corruption to take place.

Boo said while Noorhisyam is innocent until proven otherwise in court, "as far as public policies are concerned, all parties are open for public scrutiny".

He fully supported Syed Saddiq's stance, and said, "Even if it (any wrong) is by our (Harapan) friends or family members, we must speak up and report it.

"Let justice take its course."