THE whipping of an effigy resembling Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the "Himpunan Turun Anwar" protest at Dataran Merdeka on Saturday has been denounced by Parti Amanah Negara Johor as an act that grossly violates Islamic values and moral decency in political expression.
In a statement on Tuesday, Amanah Johor chairman Aminolhuda Hassan described the incident as "a reflection of moral decay in the nation’s political culture" and stressed that such behaviour has no place in a civilised society.
"In Islam, the creation of human effigies is discouraged. Even more so when such effigies are used as tools for public humiliation, being whipped, beaten, and insulted," he said.
"This is a cruel form of symbolic degradation, aimed at sowing hatred among the public."
Aminolhuda, who is also the MP for Seri Gading, pointed out that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has ensured broad democratic space under the Madani government, including allowing peaceful assemblies.
"However, this freedom has been abused by the opposition to incite and publicly humiliate national leaders in an uncivilised manner," he added.
“What sin has the 10th Prime Minister committed to warrant such treatment? Was he involved in a bloody incident like the Memali tragedy? Did he embezzle national funds like the RM2.5 billion lost in BMF Hong Kong in the past? These comparisons are clearly baseless and off the mark.”
While acknowledging that public criticism of leaders is a democratic right, Aminolhuda insisted that it must be carried out respectfully, with honest intentions and based on facts—not through symbols of hate that foster hostility and breach legal boundaries.
“This act of flogging an effigy of the Prime Minister reflects an extreme hate-driven political culture that runs counter to the values of Madani politics, which upholds decorum, compassion, and harmony in human relations,” he stated.
“We stand firmly behind the Prime Minister and categorically reject this immoral political culture that only poisons the minds of the people. Malaysia must move forward with values-based politics, not slanderous rhetoric.”
Two individuals, including political activist Chegubard (real name Badrul Hisham Shaharin), were detained by police on Monday for their alleged involvement in the incident. The arrests were confirmed by Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail, who said the men, aged 21 and 47, were being investigated by the Bukit Aman Classified Crime Investigation Unit.
The case is being probed under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948, Section 504 of the Penal Code, Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, and Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955.
Meanwhile, PKR Pasir Puteh division chief Kamaruddin Mat Zin also condemned the act, labelling it "a form of incitement that could destabilise national politics."
"This is clearly an act of humiliation and an attempt to stir hatred against the Prime Minister, which could jeopardise national stability and the political order," he told reporters after lodging a police report at the Pasir Puteh District Police Headquarters on Tuesday.
Kamaruddin, joined by around 70 members from PKR, UMNO, and Amanah Pasir Puteh, urged authorities to take firm action to prevent future provocations that may disrupt national harmony.
According to Acting Kuala Lumpur Police Chief Datuk Mohamed Usuf Mohamed Jan, four reports were lodged in relation to the protest, with one case concerning the flogging of the effigy near Masjid Negara being handled by the Bukit Aman special investigations unit. - July 29, 2025
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