The Home Ministry confirmed that the "PAS number two" whom Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi recently claimed was a Syiah adherent, was indeed the party’s deputy president Mohamad Sabu (pic).
In a media conference Thursday afternoon, ministry secretary-general Datuk Abdul Rahim Mohamad Radzi said the confirmation was based on 10 information outlined by the ministry, including a statement from Mohamad himself.
One of the supposed influencing factor was that Mohamad or Mat Sabu, had once urged Muslims to emulate the Iranian Grand Ayatollah Rouhollah Mousavi Khomeini, known as Imam Khomeini, in the former’s writing “Teladan Pemerintahan Nabi Yusof, Khomeini” in the Harakah’s Fikrah column published on July 5 to 15, 2008.
“According to an interview by ministry assistant secretary (Security Division) Zamihan Mat Zain with local Islamic leader Dr Abdul Aziz Hanafi, Mat Sabu had once recited an invocation as how a Syiah follower would, at a PAS ceramah session at Madrasah Diniah in Arau, Perlis in 2005,” Abdul Rahim said.
He said, Mat Sabu had also expressed his admiration with the leadership and struggle of the 1979 Iranian Revolution leader Khomeini whose approach he adopted when delivering his speech as PAS deputy president on July 13, 2011.
The former Kuala Kedah MP had also openly praised Lebanon Syiah secretary-general Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah, even admitting that he and his wife had met with the latter about four to five times.
Abdul Rahim said, Mat Sabu had also apparently visited a Syiah mosque in Kampung Aluar Wilayah Satun in the south of Thailand and called on several Syiah leaders there in 2011.
Mat Sabu, he said, had also allegedly attended classes conducted by a Syiah religious teacher several times in Bukit Merah in Semanggol, Perak in 2011.
One ‘tok guru’ witness had also purportedly claimed that he once saw Mat Sabu performed his prayer with a pebble placed in front of him during prostration – a method synonym with Syiah practice – which could prove that Mat Sabu was a Syiah adherent.
It is noted that in the media conference, Abdul Rahim was reading the details from a statement and did not reply to any questions posed by newsmen.
Meanwhile, to these claims, Mat Sabu did not deny that he did have admiration for Khomeini and Hassan Nasrallah.
He however continued to deny in being a Syiah follower.
“On the claim that I admire Khomeini, I say thank you. I am impressed by his leadership as he is a leader who can get Muslims to stand on their own.
“I’m also impressed by Hassan Nasrallah,” he said in a short statement Thursday.
It is understood that Mat Sabu will elaborate further after meeting his lawyer this Sunday.
Tan Su Lin
Thu Dec 12 2013
What to watch for ahead of US presidential inauguration
Here's a timeline of events between now and inauguration day.
The battle to reduce road deaths
In Malaysia, over half a million road accidents have been recorded so far this year.
Pro-Palestinian NGOs seek court order to stop Dutch arms exports to Israel
The Dutch state, as a signatory to the 1948 Genocide Convention, has a duty to take all reasonable measures at its disposal to prevent genocide.
How quickly can Trump's Musk-led efficiency panel slash US regulations?
Moves by Trump and his appointees to eliminate existing rules will be met with legal challenges, as many progressive groups and Democratic officials have made clear.
2TM: Consultations on PTPTN loans, admission to IPTA at MOHE booth
Consultations on PTPTN loans and admission to IPTA are among services provided at the Higher Education Ministry booth.
Kampung Tanjung Kala residents affected by flooded bridge every time it rains heavily
Almost 200 residents from 60 homes in Kampung Tanjung Kala have ended up stuck when their 200-metre (m) long concrete bridge flooded.
COP29 climate summit draft proposes rich countries pay $250 billion per year
The draft finance deal criticised by both developed and developing nations.
Bomb squad sent to London's Gatwick Airport after terminal evacuation
This was following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage.
Kelantan urges caution amidst northeast monsoon rains
Kelantan has reminded the public in the state to refrain from outdoor activities with the arrival of the Northeast Monsoon season.
Former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern receives UN leadership award
Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern was given a global leadership award by the United Nations Foundation.
ICC'S arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant an apt decision - PM
The decision of the ICC to issue arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant is apt, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
KTMB provides two additional ETS trains for Christmas, school holidays
KTMB will provide two additional ETS trains for the KL Sentral-Padang Besar route and return trips in conjunction with the holidays.
BNM'S international reserves rise to USD118 bil as at Nov 15, 2024
Malaysia's international reserves rose to US$118.0 billion as at Nov 15, 2024, up from US$117.6 billion on Oct 30, 2024.
Findings by dark energy researchers back Einstein's conception of gravity
The findings announced are part of a years-long study of the history of the cosmos focusing upon dark energy.
NRES responds to Rimbawatch press release on COP29
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) wishes to offer the following clarifications to the issues raised.
Online Safety Bill and Anti-Cyberbullying Laws must carefully balance rights and protections
The Online Safety Advocacy Group (OSAG) stands united with people in Malaysia in the fight against serious online harms.
Malaysia's inflation at 1.9 pct in Oct 2024 - DOSM
Malaysia's inflation rate for October 2024 has increased to 1.9 per cent, up from 1.8 per cent in September this year.
Saudi Arabia showcases Vision 2030 goals at Airshow China 2024
For the first time, Saudi Arabia is participating in the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition held recently in Zhuhai.
King Charles' coronation cost GBP 71mil, govt accounts show
The coronation of Britain's King Charles cost taxpayers GBP72 million (US$90 million), official accounts have revealed.
Couple and associate charged with trafficking 51.9 kg of meth
A married couple and a man were charged in the Magistrate's Court here today with trafficking 51.974 kilogrammes of Methamphetamine.