I did not support belly-dancing show for Tabung Harapan, says PKR hopeful

SHAH ALAM: PKR’s candidate for the Sungai Kandis by-election, Mohd Zawawi Ahmad Mughni, has denied allegations that he supported a Tabung Harapan fundraising dinner yesterday, which featured belly dancers.

He said the programme was organised by a third party, and not the government, PKR or himself.

“We do not support any event that is against Malay and Islamic values and culture.

“I disagree (with the event) and have reprimanded the organisers (for not being) sensitive (towards Malay and Islamic) values,” he said here yesterday.

Zawawi was commenting on a video clip uploaded to Barisan Nasional’s (BN) candidate Datuk Lokman Noor Adam’s Instagram account, which showed belly dancers at the event.

The clip was captioned: “What would Ustaz Zawawi’s stand be over Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) decision to invite LGBT dancers to collect donations for Tabung Harapan?

“Can a PH assemblyman go against the prime minister or his deputy? If not, leave the duty to the opposition by voting for Barisan Nasional.”

Separately, an image was circulated on social media suggesting that Zawawi had supported the event.

The WhatsApp message depicted Zawawi, accompanied by the sarcastic caption: “Tarian Gelek for Tabung Harapan is not haram due to its good intentions.”

In response, Zawawi labelled the image as fake and called on parties to practise healthy and clean politics that would not poison the people’s mind.

“Do not produce fake graphics (and make statements) to make people believe the remarks to garner votes,” he said.

Zawawi called on the people, especially the Muslim community, to adhere to the principle of tabayun, which means to verify the news or any information they received.

“Always check if the news you receive is true or not. Do not take things at face value.

“Hence, tabayun must be instilled into the culture to create a harmonious and non-prejudicial society.

“We must remember that fitnah (slander) is more dangerous and can bring greater harm than killing someone.

“I advise (all) to think of Allah and be God-fearing.”

Zawawi said he would not take legal action against those responsible for making false accusations since he had clarified the matter.

“I strongly condemn this. We will issue a statement to deny my involvement in this. Besides, my video clarifying the matter has also been circulated. We did not know about this (Tabung Harapan fundraising dinner). Suddenly, the video was uploaded.

“(Lokman’s) friends would have been there at the event from the start. He is a kaki gelek. We have never gone to such places.”