Johor Pas: Probe Dr M over speech

JOHOR BARU: Johor Pas wants police to investigate the allegedly slanderous remarks made by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed against the party’s president in his speech at PPBM’s annual general meeting (AGM) recently.

State Pas information chief Shamsudin Jaafar said the accusations made by Dr Mahathir were malicious and made to tarnish the good name of Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang by linking him to the 1985 Memali incident.

“Dr Mahathir has made false accusations against the Pas president by saying that the incident was the result of Hadi’s speech, known as ‘Amanat Hadi’. This is defamatory.”

Shamsudin said this outside the Johor Baru Central police station here yesterday after lodging a report on the matter. He was accompanied by 14 Pas members from the Johor Baru branch.

He said Dr Mahathir’s speech at the AGM contained unsubstantiated information that could cause disunity among the people, especially the Malay community.

“Attacking Pas members reflects Dr Mahathir’s attempt to avoid being associated with the incident.

“He is trapped because everyone knows he was the prime minister at the time.”

Shamsudin said the proposal for the setting up of a Royal Commission of Inquiry on the incident, which was mooted several years ago and had the support of the government, should be expedited.

“The truth must be told. If not, more slanderous statements will be made that will only benefit the political interest of one party,” said Shamsudin, referring to PPBM.

In the incident on Nov 19, 1985, violence erupted when villagers resisted police’s attempt to arrest religious teacher and local Pas leader Ibrahim Mahmud, popularly known as Ibrahim Libya.

The incident saw a massive police siege on the village that ended with the deaths of 14 residents and four policemen.

Dr Mahathir has made false accusations against the Pas president by saying that the incident was the result of Hadi’s speech, known as ‘Amanat Hadi’.

This is defamatory.

SHAMSUDIN JAAFAR Johor Pas information chief