I choose prison over fine, says PAS president

PARLIAMENT | PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang is not concerned about being hauled to court to face charges over the Sedition Act or the Communications and Multimedia Act.

The 75-year-old Marang MP, who is a heart patient, made it clear that he is willing to go to prison instead of settling a fine to secure his freedom.

“I will wait to be tried in court, I will wait, and I’m ready to be punished.

“I don’t know whether the punishment is prison time or a fine, but I choose prison. It is better to give the fine (money) to Pasti,” he said when debating the 12th Malaysia Plan mid-term review in Parliament today.

Pusat Asuhan Tunas Islam or Pasti are pre-school institutions run by the Islamist party.

The PAS president noted how numerous police reports were lodged against him for questioning the authority of the Pardons Board, which is linked to the royal institution.

“Many police reports have been lodged against me (on the Pardons Board statement) and I have no problem in providing my statements when being called,” he said.

Previously, Hadi was alleged to have questioned the power of the Pardons Board with regard to Islamic teachings during a ceramah in Muar, Johor, last month.

After Pakatan Harapan won the 2018 general election, the coalition’s chairperson Anwar Ibrahim was released from prison after obtaining a full pardon.

Last week, Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said the investigation papers on Hadi as well as former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad have been submitted to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for further action.

The police chief also denied that the investigations against the opposition leaders were politically motivated.

Meanwhile, Hadi, in his speech at the Dewan Rakyat, said if convicted, he would have to vacate his MP seat and there would be a by-election in Marang.

According to the PAS president, those with iman (faith) are willing to accept punishment on earth because to them, what is more important is not to be subjected to punishment in the hereafter.

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