THAT PAS president Tan Sri Hadi Awang chooses to be put behind bars rather than pay a fine if ever he is criminalise by the court under the Sedition Act 1948 brings back the memory of the then DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng who was jailed 18 months for so-called defending the dignity and honour of an under-aged 15-year-old Malay girl.
Paying tribute to his son upon his release 12 months after serving his jail sentence in the Kajang Prison, now retired DAP supremo Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang has hailed Guan Eng’s sacrifice and spirit as exemplary of leaders who are prepared “to pay the supreme price to protect the rights of the people regardless of race”.
For the uninitiated or rather millennial generation readers who were not born yet, former Melaka menteri besar Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Thamby Chik was accused of statutory rape against the 15 year-old girl in 1994. However, the then attorney-general (AG) had decided not to press charges.
This prompted Guan Eng who was the then Kota Melaka MP to criticise the Barisan Nasional (BN) government for the lack of action against Rahim’s alleged rape – an action which led to the now DAP chairman charged under the Sedition Act 1948 and the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.
Fast forward almost 24 years after Guan Eng’s release for his deemed heroic act, one wonders if Hadi seriously wants to be another Guan Eng as per his openly expressing in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday (Sept 13) that should he be charged in court, he will gladly opt to go to jail rather than to pay a fine.
For the record, the cleric is currently being investigated under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948 by the police for allegedly disputing the authority of the Pardon Board in a ceramah in the run-up to the Sept 9 Simpang Pulai by-election at the PAS headquarters in Bakri, Muar, on Aug 26.
Hadi is alleged to have discussed the jurisdiction of the Pardons Board and is said to have claimed the manner in which the country grants pardons to offenders is not in accordance with Islamic teachings.
“There is no such thing as been let off the hook without a proper release in Islam. When I mentioned this, a police report was lodged against me,” he addressed the august house in a rare appearance.
If convicted for his offence, Hadi could be fined up to RM5,000 or imprisoned for a maximum of three years or both. According to Deputy Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, Hadi had only answered five out of the 24 questions posed by the police whereby the remaining 19 questions will be answered in court.
“These materials will be forwarded to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) with a comprehensive proposal regarding the potential charges under Section 4 and Section 233 (of the Sedition Act 1948),” noted Ayob Khan in a media conference at Bukit Aman on Sept 4.
Whether Hadi is an equivalent of Guan Eng or otherwise, Selangor PAS secretary Roslan Shahir Mohd Shahir has hailed Hadi’s latest statement as reflective of “a principled political figure who is ready to face any possibility in defending his principles which he believes to be true”.
“He is not a scammer (penyakau) or a kleptocrat who shames his religion and nation but a fighter who stands up and argues with his knowledge and understanding. And if he is found guilty because of his action, he is ready to take responsibility. No need for DNAA (discharge not amounting to acquittal), he is ready to go to jail and lose his seat,” penned Roslan Shahir in HarakahDaily.
“Surely every Malay Muslim who hears this argument will be touched and proud that there is still a Muslim Malay leader today who is dignified and ready to sacrifice for the principle of his struggle.” – Sept 14, 2023
