The son-in-law of PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang has cast himself as an ally in the longstanding search for M Indira Gandhi's estranged daughter, Prasana Diksa.
Dismissing misconceived perceptions of PAS' religious extremism, Zaharudin Muhammad argued that no religion in the world would advocate for a mother to be separated from her children.
"Many people misunderstand PAS as being religious extremists... we are not extreme. Sometimes that is a political perception, but it is actually inaccurate.
"It is an Islamic responsibility to reunite a mother and her child, and we will give our full assistance," Zaharudin told a press conference at the Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) headquarters today.
The Sungai Buloh PAS chief said that since legal and religious matters regarding Indira's case have long been established, his decision to extend his help in the matter is on the basis of humanitarian and familial aspects.
"I was only recently informed (of Indira's appeals for aid)... God willing, all my PAS friends will support me (in offering help to Indira)," he said.
He also urged those with information on Prasana's whereabouts, including Indira's ex-husband himself, to contact him, expressing hope that the establishment of such communications could lead to talks on a peaceful reunion between the mother and daughter.
He further assured Prasana's father, Riduan Abdullah, formerly known as K Pathmanathan, that he has no intentions of "disturbing" Prasana's religious status.
"Personally, I have been very involved in helping people embrace Islam. I helped my friends convert to Islam via discussions with them and their families, not by supporting it in an extreme way.
"What I am involved in today is not political in nature - this is a humanitarian issue," Zaharudin stressed.
Support for Indira
In 2016, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man had voiced support for Indira, stating that Islamic principles support her fight for custody of her three children, including Prasana, who Riduan had unilaterally converted in 2009.
In 2010, the Ipoh High Court granted Indira full custody. However, in 2014, the Court of Appeal overturned a High Court order compelling the inspector-general of police (IGP) to recover Prasana.
The Federal Court, in 2016, put an end to the legal wrangle by ordering the police to arrest Riduan and reunite Prasana with her mother.
However, despite a landmark ruling by the apex court in 2018, which declared the children's unilateral conversion to Islam invalid and reaffirmed Indira's full custodial rights, Prasana remains missing while the two other children now live with Indira.
In 2019, Indira lodged a police report alleging, among others, the involvement of PAS-friendly NGOs in sheltering and aiding Riduan.
‘No right to separate them’
Also present at the press conference today were Indira, LFL co-founder Latheefa Koya, preacher Hoslan Hussin, as well as social activists Syarul Ema Rena Abu Samah and Rafidah Ibrahim.
Syarul, who is better known as Ratu Naga, said her strong support for Indira's fight for justice was bolstered by her personal struggles concerning a recent miscarriage.
"Imagine carrying a child for nine months and never being able to see them grow up... as a mother, you're naturally concerned about your child's development, (but) Indira doesn't even know what her daughter looks like now," Syarul lamented.
"We can't intervene on matters of faith or religion, but this is a matter of a relationship between a mother and her daughter - we have no right to separate them."
An evidently emotional Indira said she has no qualms with whatever religion Prasana chooses to practise, emphasising that her only wish is to reconnect with her daughter.
"I have never made this issue into a religious matter. It's okay if (Prasana) chooses to practise Islam, I only want to see her.
"I have tried all kinds of things to find her, and I still don't know where she is. I don't know what else to do (as) I'm disappointed to see that the police don't really care about this case," Indira said.
On Dec 10, a highly anticipated meeting between IGP Khalid Ismail and Indira turned into a disappointing affair, with the Indira Gandhi Action Team (Ingat) claiming that the top police officer seemed oblivious to the mother's plight.
Miffed by the outcome, Ingat chairperson Arun Dorasamy said they have no choice but to march to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to seek redress, as the group had earlier warned.
Pointless meetings
Addressing the press conference today, Latheefa said that while government representatives had attended previous gatherings organised by Ingat, such appearances do little to help in fulfilling Indira's demands.
"Representatives of ministers and the current government administration come, whether at demonstrations or gatherings that are held, but they come in their individual capacity, even though they are government representatives. What is the point?
"Do your work as you have been entrusted to do. (Riduan) is not a hardcore criminal... why can't the police locate him? They can track down terrorists, but not a man and a young girl?" the former MACC chief commissioner questioned.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M Kulasegaran was present during the meeting between Indira, Arun and Khalid on Dec 10.
Prior to that, on Nov 22, around 200 people marched from the Sogo Shopping Complex to Bukit Aman in an attempt to compel the police to locate Prasana.
The crowd walked with Indira as she pushed a stroller with Prasana’s teddy bear, which she had planned to deliver to Khalid, who eventually failed to show up.
After waiting for about four hours, the crowd dispersed following Kulasegaran’s intervention, who promised to get Indira an appointment with Khalid. - Mkini
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