Puad: PAS' 'derma jihad' for Siti Mastura a bid to make slander permissible

Puad: PAS' 'derma jihad' for Siti Mastura a bid to make slander permissible


Published: Dec 26, 2024 7:32 PM


Summary

• PAS launches a “jihad donation” drive to help Kepala Batas MP Siti Mastura Muhammad pay RM825,000 in defamation damages to DAP leaders, following her loss in a lawsuit over claims linking them to communist figures.

• Umno’s Mohd Puad Zarkashi criticises PAS for allegedly making slander permissible through fundraising, while a former PAS Ulama Council secretary cited Quranic prohibitions against aiding in sin and hostility.

• PAS directs its leaders and branches to contribute specific amounts to the fund, warning that Siti Mastura’s bankruptcy over unpaid damages could cost her parliamentary seat and trigger a by-election.

PAS’ decision to launch a “derma jihad” (jihad donation drive) to assist Kepala Batas MP Siti Mastura Muhammad in paying her defamation suit damages has been criticised as an attempt to make slander permissible.

Umno supreme council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi said the move is also seen as a strategy by PAS to sensationalise the issue and garner public sympathy.

“PAS spiritual leader Hashim Jasin said there is nothing wrong with party members helping Siti Mastura pay the defamation damages to DAP leaders. However, Hashim did not present any religious justification for this.

“Former PAS ulama council secretary Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali criticised this, stating it is unacceptable to assist in paying civil damages for the sin of slander. He referred to Surah Al-Maidah, verse 2, which prohibits cooperation in sinful and hostile acts.

“Perhaps PAS’ interpretation of slander differs from the court’s interpretation. According to PAS, slander becomes permissible,” Puad wrote in a Facebook post.

Previously, Malaysiakini reported that PAS was accused of organising a fundraising drive to help Siti Mastura (above, right) pay RM825,000 in damages to DAP leaders.

This came after Siti Mastura lost a defamation suit over claims that Lim Kit Siang and Lim Guan Eng had family ties with Communist Party of Malaya leader Chin Peng and that Teresa Kok had family ties with Lim.

In a letter that went viral on social media, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan stated that Siti Mastura made the remarks during a campaign for the Kemaman by-election.

Takiyuddin also warned that failing to pay the damages could result in bankruptcy proceedings against Siti Mastura, potentially causing her to lose her parliamentary seat and triggering a by-election.

To prevent Siti Mastura from being disqualified as an MP, PAS organised the donation drive.

The letter instructed PAS central committee leaders, as well as state, division, and branch leaders, to each contribute at least RM500. State divisions and wings at federal, state, and division levels were tasked with raising a minimum of RM20,000 each.