Kangar PAS chief accused of insulting monarchy, Islamic bodies

Kangar PAS chief Yussaine Yahya is facing summons from the local Syariah Court over allegations of insulting the monarchy and Islamic bodies.

This is over a religious ceramah he was involved in earlier this year, which featured a preacher who did not have accreditation (tauliah) giving Islamic lectures in the state.

When contacted, Yussaine (above) confirmed the matter with Malaysiakini.

"Yes, I have been called to be charged at the court this Thursday."God willing, I will be there with my lawyer. I'm not sure why the speaker was not called, but I was," he said.

The summons comes more than five months after the Perlis Islamic Affairs Department (Jaips) raided an event at a tahfiz school in Kangar which featured popular preacher Mohamad Wadi Anuar Ayub - who was not accredited to give religious talks in Perlis by the state mufti department.

Mohamad Wadi Anuar Ayub

During the raid on March 30, organisers were prevented from speaking to Wadi Anuar to take his statement.

Jaips subsequently lodged a police report over the matter.

It was reported that both the preacher and organiser were later called to give statements at the Jaips office on May 2, but this was called off after the two were reportedly not allowed to have lawyers present.

The notice of summons against Yussaine stated that hosting an event featuring an unaccredited preacher went against a decree by Perlis ruler, Raja Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalalullai regarding compliance with state Islamic laws and regulations.

Yussaine is accused of insulting the authority of the monarch and state religious bodies, an offence under Section 38, of Perlis' Syariah Crimes Enactment.

The offence is punishable with a fine of up to RM3,000, or jail for up to one year, or both, if convicted.