SELANGOR PAS Youth has strongly condemned the arrest of preacher and activist Ustaz Zaharuddin Muhammad (pic), who was detained at his home at approximately 1.30am on Monday, describing it as a blatant act of political intimidation.
In a statement released shortly after the arrest, Selangor PAS Youth Chief Mohamed Sukri Omar criticised the authorities for what he called a “shocking and unjustifiable” midnight operation, claiming it reflects an increasingly repressive stance by the government.
“Ustaz Zaharuddin is well known as a preacher, scholar, and people’s activist who has consistently defended the rights of the rakyat, particularly in the case of Kampung Sungai Baru,” he said.
“The move to arrest him clearly stems from political pressure, as he has been vocal in highlighting the injustices faced by residents of the village. Detaining a preacher in the dead of night for standing up for the people is a form of intimidation that cannot be accepted.”
He asserted that the right of citizens to defend their homes and land is a fundamental liberty that must be protected—not suppressed through coercive tactics.
“This arrest reveals the failure of the so-called ‘Madani’ government to uphold its own slogans and promises. Instead, it exposes the true face of an administration that appears to bow to the interests of developers and elite stakeholders.”
Mohamed Sukri called upon Malaysians, especially the youth, to rise in solidarity with the residents of Kampung Sungai Baru.
“This is not merely about one individual—it is symbolic of the broader suppression of the people’s voice,” he added.
He further warned the government that injustice would not prevail indefinitely, quoting Surah Ibrahim, verse 42 of the Qur’an: “And never think that Allah is unaware of what the wrongdoers do.”
Selangor PAS Youth reaffirmed its full support for Ustaz Zaharuddin and the Kampung Sungai Baru community, demanding his immediate and unconditional release.
“Injustice will never defeat truth. This arrest only fuels the people's struggle to reclaim their rights and dignity. Selangor PAS Youth will remain at the forefront in defending the people, upholding truth, and resisting oppression,” Mohamed Sukri added.
Zaharuddin was arrested in the early hours of Monday morning, prompting immediate backlash from party leaders who claim the detention was politically motivated and tied to his outspoken support for residents facing eviction in Kampung Sungai Baru.
Zaharuddin, who is also the son-in-law of PAS President Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, was reportedly taken into custody at 1.30am.
The official grounds for his arrest have not yet been confirmed.
Zaharuddin has been a vocal opponent of the eviction of 15 families from Kampung Sungai Baru, which was carried out to make way for a redevelopment project. He had previously condemned the government's role in the matter and likened the forced evictions to the situation in Gaza during a video posted last Thursday, as the eviction process was underway.
On 4 September, he also claimed that several of his TikTok videos highlighting the Kampung Sungai Baru issue had been taken down, further fuelling concerns of censorship and suppression.
Negotiations between residents and developers over the redevelopment of the area began in 2016, with the government later stepping in to mediate compensation discussions. The compulsory land acquisition under the Land Acquisition Act was officially gazetted in June 2021, during the Perikatan Nasional administration.
At the time of writing, police have not issued a public statement regarding Zaharuddin’s arrest. - September 15, 2025
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