‘Hadi’s speech not the cause of tragedy’
KUALA LUMPUR: Pas has refuted claims by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that its president’s speech was the cause of the Memali tragedy in 1985.
Amanat Haji Hadi referred to a speech by Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang to Pas supporters in the 1980s, where he allegedly labelled Umno members and leaders as infidels.
Pas central committee member Kamaruzaman Mohamad said Dr Mahathir was merely shifting the blame on Hadi for the tragedy.
“Dr Mahathir has even accused Hadi’s speech as being the factor leading to the incident.
“We would like to clarify here that we were never responsible for the tragedy.
“It was the aggressive actions by the security personnel towards unarmed civilians that had led to the tragedy,” said Kamaruzaman.
He said Pas had repeatedly called for the establishment of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) because of such accusations.
“The RCI needs to be formed to ensure that justice is served to the family of those who died, and that those involved would be held responsible for their actions,” he said at Pas headquarters here.
Kamaruzaman said although Pas accepted the apology of Dr Mahathir for the latter’s remark on victims of the Memali tragedy dying in vain, the party regretted that he had resorted to shifting the blame on the police.
“Dr Mahathir’s statement had offended the tragedy victims’ families and Malaysians in general.
“Now, Dr Mahathir is trying to put the blame on the police.”
Kamaruzaman also said disciplinary action would be taken against two opposition pact candidates, who were contesting under the Pan Malaysia Islamic Front (Berjasa) ticket.
“Berjasa will take disciplinary action against both the candidates, who are standing in the state seat for Batu Kurau and Sungai Manik, Perak (which is against the consensus by parties in Pas’ coalition).
“I would also like to clarify that this issue will not affect the relationship of Berjasa in the coalition.”
He said Berjasa had decided to take action against both the candidates as it was agreed by all parties in the coalition that the candidates would stand under Pas’ logo.