PAS confident its members weren't behind torching of mufti's car

PAS is confident its members were not involved in the torching of Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin's official vehicle.

According to its deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, it is yet to be established whether PAS members were involved in the case, as it is still under police investigations.

"Our party prioritises rules and discipline, we strictly forbid our members from being involved in unlawful activities," he told reporters when met after a ceramah in Kota Bharu, last night.

On Wednesday, it was reported that three members of PAS' volunteer corps Unit Amal, were remanded to facilitate investigations into the torching incident, two months ago.

Yesterday, Perlis police confirmed that the main suspect in the arson has been arrested, and one more suspect is still at large.

Tuan Ibrahim further thanked the police who ordered all quarters to refrain from making any statements on the case, while it is still under probe.

"We are open and have never ordered our members to do unlawful things. We hope the investigations will clear the allegations (against PAS members)," he said.

Meanwhile, The Malaysian Insight reported that the sacking of 25 imam by the Perlis state religious authorities earlier this year, was the motive behind the car torching incident.

The portal quoted state police chief Noor Mushar Mohd saying that the investigation was gathered from the five suspects currently under custody.

“The culprits behind this were holding a grudge. They believed Asri was responsible for removing the 25 imam and transferring 10 others,” the top cop was quoted saying.

Asri had previously denied that the removal of 25 imam and transfer of 10 others were due to the fact that they were old, and they were qualified youngsters to fill their positions. 

The mufti had also explained that he was not empowered to do the sacking and transfers and that the actions were endorsed by the state religious authorities with the state palace's approval.

Police also say the car torching was carried out as the suspects could not carry out their initial plan of splashing acid on Asri's face. - Mkini