Saifuddin Hadi Selectively Using Islam To Defend Siti Mastura

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Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has criticised PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang for selectively using religious arguments to defend the actions of his party members.
Saifuddin said such moves are irresponsible and tarnish the beauty of Islam.
“The principles of Islamic politics are clear - uphold good, reject wrongdoing, practise justice, and avoid oppression. Cultivate praiseworthy traits (mahmudah) and avoid despicable ones (mazmumah). Hadi is well-versed in these teachings. 
“Yet Hadi’s statement is a desperate attempt to defend wrongdoing, promote negative traits, and justify oppression by rallying party members to donate for Siti Mastura Muhammad, who has clearly committed defamation,” he added. 
PAS president Abdul hadi AwangSaifuddin was responding to Hadi’s defence of PAS’ fundraising efforts to help Kepala Batas MP Siti Mastura pay RM825,000 in damages to DAP leaders Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng, and Teresa Kok following her loss to the trio in a defamation lawsuit.
Yesterday, Hadi claimed that Islam teaches its followers to take responsibility for the mistakes of group members.
“This is how PAS takes responsibility for the misconduct of its members, even when they are penalised with fines or compensation,” Hadi said, adding, “Believe that our collective contribution to Islam in all matters is jihad.” 
Siti Mastura lost a defamation lawsuit after accusing Lim Kit Siang and Lim Guan Eng of ties to former Communist Party of Malaya leader Chin Peng and linking Teresa Kok to the Lim family.
Kepala Batas MP Siti Mastura MuhammadAccording to an internal PAS circular, central committee leaders, state leaders, and local PAS branches were instructed to donate a minimum of RM500 each, while PAS state chapters and central wings were asked to raise at least RM20,000 each.
Siti Mastura has received an interim stay of execution on the payment order while awaiting a January court hearing to secure a full stay on the judgment.
‘Does Islam support defamation?’
Saifuddin also warned that using religious justifications to defend a defamer risks creating the perception that Islam condones slander.
“Such actions are rejected in Islam because they are considered asabiyyah - defending one’s group even when they are clearly in the wrong,” Saifuddin said. 
“I urge Muslims in this country to evaluate such matters based on religious principles, not simply follow the rhetoric of those who claim to be religious, especially when they are cloaked in political attire.”
Earlier today, Hadi expressed regret over what he described as ongoing political, economic, administrative, and media pressure faced by PAS since independence.
“Every contribution to PAS is treated with suspicion or ridiculed, even when poor PAS members donate small amounts. These contributions are mocked through verbal remarks, writings, or satirical cartoons,” Hadi lamented. - Mkini

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