KUALA LUMPUR – Bukit Aman has confirmed that an investigation paper has been opened against PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang over his recent claim that non-Muslims and non-Bumiputeras are most involved in causing corruption.
In a statement, police corporate communications head Skandaguru Anandan, said the Marang MP is being probed over an article titled “PAS; Hadi Claims Non-Muslims, Non-Bumiputeras Make Up the Bulk of Roots of Corruption”.
He said 28 police reports have been filed against Hadi over the issue so far, adding that the politician will be summoned to Bukit Aman to have his statement recorded.
However, Skandaguru did not indicate the day that Hadi will be roped in for questioning.
“Police also urge the public to be cautious and concerned about issues that touch on religious and racial sensitivities that could threaten social harmony,” he said.
He added that stern action will be taken against any party that threatens public order and national security.
Skandaguru added that the matter was being investigated by Bukit Aman’s prosecution and legal division, the Criminal Investigation Department D5, under Section 505 (c) of the Penal Code for intent to incite or acts likely to incite any class or community of persons to commit any offence against any other class or community of persons.
It will also investigate the matter under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for sharing offensive and menacing content.
In a lengthy post on Facebook last week, Hadi said corruption had roots, akin to stagnant water that allowed mosquitoes to breed.
“Preventing dengue is not just about treating the patient and killing mosquitoes, we must also clear the stagnant water that breeds mosquitoes.
“It is the same with efforts to deal with the disease of corruption. It must be done holistically so that it does not become an epidemic if its roots are not treated comprehensively.
“In particular, action must be taken against those who are the cause of corruption by pursuing illegal wealth.
“It is among them, who control the country’s economy and use it to destroy politics, the administration and the judiciary. In fact, they are also the biggest group damaging the country’s politics and economy, the majority of them being non-Muslims and non-Bumiputeras,” Hadi said.
The Marang MP said added that Islam teaches its followers that illicit wealth is sinful.
He provided no context to his racialised claims against non-Muslims and non-Malays.
Earlier today, a group of human rights activists today filed police reports against Hadi for making statements insulting to non-Muslims.
S. Shashi Kumar, president of the Global Human Rights Federation (GHRF), said that Islamist leaders such as Hadi are trying to disrupt the harmony between religious groups, in making baseless accusations without any solid evidence.
He said this after a report was lodged by members of GHRF outside the Sentul district police headquarters.
He said police reports have been filed against the politician in several states such as Penang, Johor, and Sarawak.
Shashi stressed that the Islamist party should be banned and dissolved as it disturbs the harmony of Malaysia, likening the situation to the dissolution of the Malayan Communist Party. - The Vibes, August 28, 2022
