2œ theSun | WEDNESDAY AUGUST 19 2009

news without borders

‘Ulama should look into

by Husna Yusop
newsdesk@thesundaily.com IN
PUTRAJAYA: The National Fatwa
INTERVIEWS VIEWS
Council and Muslim scholars in the
country should look at PAS spiritual TOMORROW!
leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat’s

Nik Aziz’s statements’

statements and give their views.
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri
Muhyiddin Yassin said yesterday
he felt many of the Kelantan men-
tri besar’s statements, especially
in labelling Umno supporters as
kafir (infidel) or going to hell and
the like, were against true Islamic
teachings.
“I think it is only proper for
the ulama (Muslim scholars) to
look at Nik Aziz’s statements and
give their views, whether they are
true or against Islam. What is the
status?
“Although I understand religion,
if I were to say it, people will think
it has political agenda. I do not
want to use politics in this matter.
This is the question of faith and
religion,” he said.
He was asked to comment on
recent statements by Nik Aziz
calling those supporting Umno as
infidels, saying those who want to
enter heaven must support PAS
and the Islam of Umno did not as-
sure Muslims a place in heaven.
Muhyiddin said in the current
political situation it is dangerous
to resort to such name-calling,
“therefore it is good if the ulama
and fatwa council can come up
with a statement”.
Earlier, Muhyiddin launched
a book penned by the prime
minister’s special officer Prof
Khairil Annas Jusoh titled Siri
Evolusi Kepimpinan 1: Tinjauan
Teori-Teori Terpilih (Leadership
Evolution Series 1: A Survey of
Selected Theories).
Asked about a report lodged by
PKR against him with the Malay-
sian Anti- Corruption Commission
(MACC) for alleged abuse of gov-
ernment property for his personal
use, Muhyiddin said: “It’s okay.
They can lodge a report about
every Malaysian in the country. It
doesn’t scare me at all.”
It was reported that Pantai Jer-
jak assemblyman Sim Tze Tzin
lodged the report on Monday,
claiming Muhyiddin abused gov-
ernment property for a non-gov-
ernmental purpose when he flew
on a military helicopter to attend
the Penampang Umno meeting in
Sabah on Sunday.
It is an example of the Opposi-
tion being short of ideas, Muhyid-
din said, adding he would rather
they look at the problems they
have created in the country.
On Selangor government’s cir-
cular restricting the investigations
of MACC, he said Attorney-Gen-
eral Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail’s
statement saying the directive is
unlawful should be taken as the
government’s official stand.
Asked whether all ministers
who had used the Kuala Dimensi
Sdn Bhd jets should declare them-
selves, Muhyiddin said: “I’m not
sure whether they need to do it.
“However, there are provi-
sions that allow them to use the
INTERVIEW
jets when there was a necessity I want to see the day when doctors
d
and usually they will pay for the
will stop treating a piece of disease
service.”
tissue, a bon e frag men t, a cancerous
On the status of Deputy Minis-
ter in the Prime Minister’s Depart- organ or a disoriented mind. I want
ment Datuk T. Murugiah whose to see doctors first treating a human
ic
dismissal from his PPP party has being because that is the most bas
been endorsed by the Registrar of a doc tor.
Society recently, Muhyiddin said vocation of
– Medical ethicist and critical care
it will be determined by Prime expert Prof Emeritus Alex Delilkan
Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul
Razak.

PAS leader clarifies

‘false Islam’ comment
Violent maid jailed
KOTA BARU: PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz
Nik Mat yesterday denied having said Umno
four years, eight months
members would not go to heaven as they prac- by Opalyn Mok
tised a form of “false Islam” brought from Palestine newsdesk@thesundaily.com
and not the Islam as preached by PAS.
The Kelantan mentri besar claimed the mis- GEORGE TOWN: An Indonesian maid was
quoted statements were an attempt by certain jailed four years and eight months by a ses-
quarters to cause friction between him and the sions court here yesterday after she admit-
Palestine Authority and create an issue in the run- ted to attempting to murder her employer.
up to the upcoming Permatang Pasir by-election. Hanni Seo (pix), 23, who had initially
“I read two mainstream newspapers where pleaded not guilty to an attempted murder
I saw the word, Palestine. I strongly deny this charge, changed her plea and admitted at-
(mentioning Palestine). I also don’t always use the tacking her employer, Phang Kian Huang, 42,
words, Umno members and Umno supporters.” with a wooden stool, pestle and knife at a
Nik Aziz was reported to have made the house in Rifle Range, Air Itam.
statement in Bukit Mertajam on Monday in In sentencing, sessions judge Roslan
which he was also quoted saying that “the Hamid said he took into account the fact
Islam preached by PAS was different from that that Hanni was remorseful and had taken
practised by Umno members”. responsibility for her actions.
He explained that what he meant was that “Furthermore, she was not paid for 20
Muslims who separated iman (faith) from Islam months,” he said, adding if the case had gone
would not go to heaven. on full trial and Hanni was found guilty, she may
“It (separation of faith from Islam) had caused be given a seven-year jail sentence instead.
the ulama to leave Umno and form PAS in 1951. Hanni was charged under section 307
Umno’s efforts for Islam alone without iman will (1) of the Penal Code for attempted murder
not be accepted by Allah,” he said. – Bernama which carries a maximum jail sentence of
20 years if found guilty.
Earlier, during mitigation, Hanni, through
her counsel V.M.Ravindran, told the court
she came from a poor family.
She claimed she had acted in that way
because she could not take the scoldings
from Phang anymore and that she had
worked for 20 months without being paid.
“This incident is a result of hatred and
misunderstanding. What happened was not
premeditated and the tools used were not
prepared in advance,” Ravindran said.
He said Hanni did not run away after that
and the incident happened due to a sudden
uncontrollable impulse. He also pointed out
that Phang was only hospitalised for a week
and her injuries were not serious as it were
not likely to cause death.
On Feb 26, Phang had taken her two chil-
dren to the nursery and returned at about
10am. She had went straight to her room for
a nap but did not lock the door.
She was rudely awakened when she felt
something hard hit her head and then she
saw Hanni holding a wooden stool.
Phang tried to apologise to Hanni for
scolding her but the maid went to the
kitchen and returned with a knife. Hanni
tried to stab Phang but the latter got up to
run and was slashed on her knee instead.
Phang fell and was slashed on several
parts of her body. She shouted for help be-
fore feigning unconsciousness.
She heard Hanni leaving the room, return-
ing with a pestle which she threw towards
Phang, hitting her on the head and chest.

Liu tells cops, MACC to MB says circular lawful

stop the harassment
by Tim Leonard
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
SHAH ALAM: Selangor executive
councillor Ronnie Liu yesterday
slammed the police and the Malay-
sian Anti-Corruption Commission
(MACC) for being unfair, rough and
arrogant to him and his staff.
He took a swipe at the Bukit
Aman Commercial Crime Depart-
ment for turning up unannounced in
his office located in the state secre-
tariat building while he was away in
Bukit Mertajam for the Permatang
Pasir by-election nominations on
Monday.
“The least they could have done
is to inform me that they are com-
ing,” he said.
“Why are they so arrogant? Why
do they want to use high-handed
approach against us?
“Is it because we are from the
Opposition?
“They also took away my official
log book for visitors from my staff
despite him telling them to take
only the photocopy. Please stop this
high-handed tactics.”
Liu also provided the press a
photocopy of his log book as proof
that he had nothing to hide.
“There were allegations I am
linked to the underworld. But I am
a polite person. I don’t ask any visi-
tors if they are a gangster or former
gangster.
“These policemen and MACC of-
ficers are the ones who sometimes
act like gangsters. They threaten
and intimidate people.”
Liu also accused the MACC of
lying by saying they never used
Gestapo tactics in detaining his per-
sonal assistant Wong Chuan How.
“My assistant was pushed,
roughed and intimidated by MACC.
Don’t harass us.
“We are willing to cooperate on
any issue or allegations because we
have nothing to hide.
“But please show us some
respect,” he said.
SHAH ALAM: Selangor Mentri Besar
Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim says the
circular limiting the time and place for
state officials from being interviewed
by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption
Commission (MACC) is lawful.
“Our circular is not unlawful. It is
to merely state that proper methods
must be used when taking state-
ments,” he said yesterday.
“And neither are we questioning
the powers of the commission to
undertake investigations. We welcome
any investigation ... as I said before, we
will fully cooperate with them (MACC.
“We want the process (of investiga-
tions and questioning) to be reason-
able and civilised so that in a way, both
parties can achieve the objectives.”
Khalid cautioned the MACC offic-
ers to carry out their duties within the
law and not exceed their powers by
using threats, intimidation or force.
“We want the MACC to adopt bet-
ter procedures for questioning and
learn from successful nations that
have respect for the people’s rights.”
He said the state government
would also do the MACC a favour by
studying similar anti-graft bodies in
Hongkong, New Zealand and Finland,
and make known thier findings on
better methods and procedures to the
commission as well as the public.
“Probes must never disrupt the
operations of the state or be detri-
mental to the efficient administration
of the state,” he added.
The mentri besar issued the cir-
cular following the death of political
aide Teoh Beng Hock following an
intense questioning session.
The circular directed all state rep-
resentatives to meet MACC officers
in the state secretariat building and
not give statements after 6pm.
This prompted Attorney-General
Tan Sri Ghani Patail on Monday to
direct his chambers to file an applica-
tion in court this week to declare the
directive null and void. He said the
circular was and unlawful.
MACC commissioner Datuk Seri
Ahmad Said Hamdan said his men
would not bow to the Selangor
government’s directive as they have
the right to investigate anyone, at any
place and at any time.