Shahidan makes police reports over Asri issue

(Bernama) – Former Perlis menteri besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim today lodged two police reports over a memorandum by the Syariah Lawyers Association of Malaysia (PGSM) and statement by a senior official of the Islamic Training Institute of Malaysia (ILIM) on former Perlis mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin.

Shahidan, who is also an Umno supreme council member, was accompanied by former Perlis Islamic Religious Department director Md Sadik Ismail, several imam and about 200 of his supporters when lodging the reports at the Kangar police station.

He said PGSM’s memorandum sent to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Oct 12 which contained allegations against Asri, such as using an extreme approach in teaching Islam, constantly courting controversies, to the extent of causing public uneasiness and fighting incidents in Perlis had also tarnished the image of the state.

On the allegation by ILIM assistant director Zamihan Mat Zain Al Ghari that Asri had falsified his syariah qualification, Shahidan said it questioned his credibility as Asri was appointed Perlis mufti when Shahidan was the menteri besar.

He said it was shameful that the statement came fom a senior officer of ILIM, an agency under the Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (Jakim), and that he was considering taking legal action against Zamihan.