KUALA LUMPUR – The Alliance of Islamic Defenders Organisations (Pembela) denies supporting violence, despite collecting funds to help five Foodpanda riders mount a legal defence.
Pembela chairman Aminuddin Yahaya told The Vibes that the initiative is to help pay for legal costs and court bails.
The riders were recently detained for allegedly assaulting a Borneo man, who is said to have insulted Islam.
“Everyone has a right to a defence, and in court, in the event they (the deliverymen) are charged, they will need to provide bail money,” said Aminuddin.
“If they cannot provide bail money, they will end up in detention.”
On whether the initiative indicates Pembela’s support for violent acts, he answered in the negative: “Of course we don’t support violent acts.”
“Police said they do not request money for bail, which is true, but our funds are not for paying police bail, but bail in the event that they (the deliverymen) are charged in court.”
On June 13, Petaling Jaya police chief Mohamad Fakhrudin Abdul Hamid had said police did not request bail before releasing the riders.
He also said an investigation paper under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating has been initiated over a poster posted on Facebook by Pembela.
On June 11, a group of food delivery riders allegedly assaulted a man in Sg Way, Petaling Jaya.
It was reported that the victim’s username had words that allegedly insulted Islam.
A video of the incident went viral, and police subsequently detained five of the riders and the Borneo man. – The Vibes, June 15, 2021
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