PAS slammed for double standards in call for Anwar to step aside

Summary

• Amanah’s Faiz Fadzil accuses PAS of hypocrisy for demanding Anwar step down while staying silent when its own leaders were probed or charged.

• He says PAS is politicising the Yusoff Rawther case, despite the High Court ruling showing no interference from Anwar in the judiciary.

• Faiz dismisses claims that police can be sued over the probe, citing IGP’s clarification and lack of evidence of malicious intent.

PAS has come under fire for urging Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to temporarily step down following the acquittal recently granted by the Kuala Lumpur High Court to his former aide, Yusoff Rawther.

Highlighting that the opposition party had made no such calls when its own leaders were investigated or charged, Amanah secretary-general Faiz Fadzil lambasted PAS for being “hypocritical”.

“PAS’ attempt to politicise the court’s decision is both desperate and hypocritical, especially when it has failed to apply the same standard to its own leaders,” Faiz said in a statement today.

“PAS claims that Anwar must step aside to preserve the integrity of police investigations, but when one of its leaders was investigated and charged under the Sedition Act for allegedly insulting the sultan, PAS did not make similar demands in the name of protecting royal institutions.”

While Faiz did not name the PAS leader he was referring to, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang was previously investigated by police over his statements, which allegedly hit out at several parties, including the Malay rulers.

Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah had earlier expressed deep regret over the Marang MP’s “highly inappropriate” statement.

In 2023, Kedah Menteri Besar Sanusi Nor was charged in the Selayang Sessions Court for allegedly making seditious remarks, also against the Selangor ruler.

In September last year, Sanusi issued a public apology to the sultan over his “disrespectful” comments.

Politically motivated

Asserting that PAS’ call for Anwar to vacate his position is a “politically motivated attempt” to discredit the prime minister, Faiz insisted that the High Court’s ruling dismissing the charges against Yusoff shows that the judiciary is allowed to conduct their duties without interference.

“This reflects the integrity championed by Pakatan Harapan and Anwar’s reform agenda, which aims to uphold the independence of the judiciary,” he added.

He also said that while PAS leaders have claimed that the police can be sued for allegedly not investigating Anwar in relation to Yusoff’s case, the “baseless” argument does not stand in light of clarification from Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain.

“In criminal law, while thorough and fair investigations are expected, any lawsuit against the police must show malicious intent.

“Since there is no evidence that Anwar interfered in the investigation, the question of malicious intent does not arise,” Faiz said.

Yesterday, Razarudin confirmed that investigations into Yusoff’s report, in which the former research assistant claimed he was being set up, took place at the same time as the probe into accusations of drug trafficking and fake firearm possession against him.

On Thursday, the Kuala Lumpur High Court acquitted Yusoff of charges of drug trafficking and possession of two imitation pistols, with judge Jamil Hussin ruling that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case on both charges.

Go on leave

Yusoff’s acquittal came amid renewed attention on his civil suit against Anwar, whom the former has accused of sexual assault.

Earlier this week, the Court of Appeal issued an ad interim stay on all proceedings involving Yusoff’s civil suit.

This is after a three-judge panel allowed the prime minister’s application to put the lawsuit on hold pending the disposal of Anwar’s bid to secure a full stay.

Speaking to reporters yesterday, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said Anwar should go on leave pending a verdict for the civil suit, claiming that authorities would be hesitant to launch a probe against Anwar as long as he is in a position of power.

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