Two practising Christians from Sabah are suing Pas president Abdul Hadi Awang over the latter’s alleged seditious statement against followers of the faith.
Maklin Masiau and Lawrence Jomiji Kinsil @ Maximilhian filed the Originating Summons at the Kuala Lumpur High Court Registry on Dec 9.
The legal action was filed by the two plaintiffs’ lawyers from Messrs R Kengadharan & Co.
According to the duo’s lawyer R Kengadharan, the cause papers were served to PAS headquarters in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
The lawyer added that a copy was also served on the attorney-general yesterday because the matter is of public interest.
The two plaintiffs are suing over Hadi’s statement published in Pas’ party organ Harakah on Jan 18, 2016.
The duo claimed that the statement was then reported by online news portal Free Malaysia Today on the same day. A copy of the news report is being relied on by them for the suit.
They are seeking a declaration that Hadi has committed an act of sedition contrary to Section 3 of the Sedition Act 1948.
They seek a declaration that the defendant is unfit to hold any position in the government of Malaysia, including that of a position equivalent to a ministerial post.
On April 2, it was reported that Marang MP Hadi was appointed as special envoy to the Middle East with ministerial rank. This took place shortly after the fall of the Pakatan Harapan administration and the emergence of the current Perikatan Nasional government.
According to the suit’s statement of claim, the two plaintiffs alleged that Hadi’s statement was not only contrary to Section 3 of the Sedition Act but had also cast aspersion on the Christian community in Malaysia.
“We respectfully state that the defendant has made an unfounded statement and cast aspersions on Christians and/or Christian missionaries.
“The defendant’s statement has affected the Christian community in the country and has thus become a matter of public interest.
“However, it has been more than four years since the defendant issued this seditious statement, but no prosecution has been brought against the defendant,” the two plaintiffs alleged. - Mkini
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