KUALA LUMPUR – Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) Federal Territory Youth wing today lodged a police report over the purported “online marriage” of Deputy Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Datuk Che Abdullah Mat Nawi registered in Southern Thailand.
Its chief, Asmaaliff Abdul Adam, said the report was lodged following allegations that the PAS minister had violated shariah law by conducting the akad nikah (marriage solemnisation) ceremony online.
Speaking at the Dang Wangi police station here, Asmaaliff alleged that Che Abdullah had violated Section 124 of the Islamic Family Law Enactment (Kelantan) 2002, and two other standard operating procedures (SOPs) under the nationwide lockdown.
Asmaaliff also raised questions about the legitimacy of the marriage and whether it can be classified as a case of adultery or deemed an activity of an illegal marriage syndicate if it is not recognised by Malaysian law.
Che Abdullah is the MP for Tumpat in Kelantan. The constituency’s northern border touches Narathiwat province in Thailand, where the marriage is said to be registered.
Asmaaliff referred to a video purportedly showing Che Abdullah taking his marriage oath over his mobile phone.
“From the viral video, it is clear that there were at least three people in the room – two men as witnesses and the MP. There were probably more because there were people who taking photos and the video.
“The second SOP that he violated is that the marriage could have happened outside of Malaysia, possibly in Thailand.
“A wali hakim (a government-authorised guardian for the bride) was asked to solemnise the marriage. We know that in Malaysia, one cannot use the help of wali hakim as he pleases,” he said today when met by the press outside the Dang Wangi district police headquarters.
“He could have been at the Malaysia-Thailand border or outside Malaysia because the marriage certificate comes from Narathiwat.”
Che Abdullah had yesterday expressed regret that widespread publicity on the matter may have led to some people being offended, although it is an invasion of his privacy.
Responding to queries by reporters, he had declined to elaborate further on the issue, saying he would leave it to his lawyer to deal with any legal action.
Sinar Harian had quoted him as saying that the matter, which has gone viral on social media, is a personal and private family matter. He said the marriage was not supposed to have been publicised or become a public spectacle.
“First of all, I apologise if this issue, which is said to be related to me, last week has caused offence to anyone,” he had said.
“This kind of issue should not happen,” he added, apparently referring to rumours and speculation that have surfaced.
“It is as though it is intended to embarrass me or bring down my family’s honour, or perhaps, it is meant to disrupt my work.”
He also urged the public to respect his privacy and that of his family, saying: “I appeal to all parties to be fair and give me space to resolve this matter properly.”
“God willing, the issue will not hamper me from undertaking my duties entrusted to me as the deputy minister for agriculture and as a parliamentarian.”
Kelantan authorities urged to investigate
Also present at the police station after the report was lodged was Amanah Youth executive councillor Ahmad Fadhli Umar Aminolhuda.
Fahdli said Che Abdullah, as a deputy minister and MP, should set a good example for his people.
“Che Abdullah is a PAS MP, but he failed to abide by the Islamic laws of Kelantan.
“He should be investigated and appropriate actions should be taken against him by the Kelantan Islamic religious council,” he said.
Pictures of the couple’s marriage certificate and a recorded conversation between the politician, an imam and two other men, believed to be witnesses, have been circulating on social media in recent days.
Ada timbalan Menteri nikah baru kat Naratiwat? pic.twitter.com/owJW4Z6FmE
— Adam ? (@amofficialmy) July 3, 2021
Reports have it the bride is allegedly from Selangor.
The ceremony was criticised as it was allegedly held as the country is undergoing a full lockdown.
A close-up photo of the marriage certificate shows the ceremony was held on June 1 when the country was under the movement control order (MCO 3.0).
Last Sunday, the Narathiwat Islamic Council in Thailand had said that it would investigate the case as the council has never before approved online solemnisations by any imam in the Thai province.
Its vice-president, Abdul Aziz Che Mamat, said the council would call the imam at the Kedai Baru Mosque in Sg Golok, who had purportedly performed the ritual online, to explain the matter.
Aziz was also reported by The New Straits Times as saying that wedding participants are also disallowed from partaking in the solemnisation ceremony over the phone. – The Vibes, July 7, 2021
