KUALA LUMPUR – PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari has alleged that his response to Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah’s rebuke against Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang was manipulated by a news daily.
On Facebook, Fadhli denied saying that the party president’s views about the position of Islam – which drew the Sultan’s ire – were merely personal.
Instead, Fadhli said he requested the reporter to refer the matter to the party president’s office since the Sultan of Selangor’s decree was specifically addressed to Hadi.
“Whether it is a personal view or not, or whether PAS should be involved or not – that is not the issue,” Fadhli said in the post.
Fadhli, who is also Pasir Mas MP, said that the practice of “adding one’s own sentences” by some media practitioners made him reluctant to comment over the phone.
“One reason I dislike dealing with journalists’ calls is because when we provide an answer, some reporters like to add their own words. Written statements are safer for journalists like this.”
On Wednesday, Hadi received a royal rebuke from the ruler for disrespecting the Federal Constitution as well as the Malay Rulers, who are the guardians of Islam in the country.
In a five-page letter, Sultan Sharafuddin expressed deep disappointment over statements Hadi posted on February 20 on Facebook titled “Ketinggian Islam Wajib Dipertahankan” (The supremacy of Islam must be defended), in which the Marang MP called Malaysia’s constitution a colonial legacy aimed at sidelining Islam.
Sultan Sharafuddin criticised Hadi for disregarding the history of the Federal Constitution and its aim to ensure racial harmony.
Yesterday, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said Hadi was being investigated for sedition over his “Ketinggian Islam Wajib Dipertahankan” statement made on Facebook on February 20.
Razarudin told Scoop that an investigation is ongoing under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
The police have yet to speak to Hadi due to his health condition, and are awaiting the right time to summon him for a statement.
In August last year, Hadi was investigated for sedition after he allegedly disputed the Pardons Board’s authority during a political talk at PAS’ Bakri headquarters in Johor.
The PAS leader allegedly said the process of granting pardons to an offender in Malaysia went against Islamic teachings.
Hadi, who is also Marang MP, added that his party wanted the provisions of the current law to be changed to those that reflect on Islamic values.
Under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948, those found guilty could be fined up to RM5,000 or imprisoned for a maximum of three years or both. – March 2, 2024