The Malaysian Insight

SOCIAL media users slammed Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz and accused PAS of making lying “shariah compliant” after his “confession” over an audio clip in which the Islamist party admitted accepting funds from its rival, Umno.

The PAS central committee member said yesterday he wanted to admit to being the person behind the voice recording but denied it on the instructions of party leaders, including president Abdul Hadi Awang.

“It was my speech in a closed event, in the presence of a selected audience. It was my right to protect the secrecy and not betray it. Both choices comply to the shariah,” he said in a lengthy statement on Facebook.

The audio recording went viral last year ahead of the 14th general election, a time when PAS was under heavy attack from Pakatan Harapan for receiving money from Umno.

Nik Abduh had repeatedly denied the recording, calling it “nonsense and slander”.

However, the issue resurfaced recently after Hadi settled his defamation suit against whistle-blower site Sarawak Report, which ran a story in 2016 alleging that PAS had accepted money from Umno.

After a police report was lodged, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission started a probe and recorded statements from several PAS leaders, including Nik Abduh.

Social media users lashed out at the Bachok MP and the Islamist party’s leaders for lying and for their audacity.

On Twitter, Serdang assemblyman Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud (@DrSitiMariah) of Amanah said: “Lying now is syariah compliant. Shame shame on you PAS.”

R.H (@ryzwolf) also criticised Nik Abduh’s “shariah-compliant” remark.

“With regards to Nik Abduh’s audio, I have one question to ask… Is it ‘syarie compliance’ to tell a lie? Eventually, telling a lie for a shabby political cover up is permissible in the ‘religious’ political party,” he tweeted.

A Facebook user Wan Ahmad said Nik Abduh should resign over the issue.

“The issue is not the content of the audio recording, but integrity. Lying and then admitting the lie.”

Twitter user boopboop2019 (@DukeOrange081) called Nik Abduh’s explanation “the biggest facepalm moment” in its history.

“Nik Abduh needs to re-read the story of the false prophet Musailamah al Kadzab. To see how grave dosa menipu (the sin of lying) is.

“This is the biggest facepalm moment in PAS history. I’m so psyched, I hope the blind supporters will fall apart and see the truth behind this fake kingdom of heaven,” he tweeted.

Jhon Tan said all PAS leaders have lost their credibility.

“So-called religious party. Turns out it is one that legitimises slander,” he said.

Many also panned Nik Abduh for appearing to be a hypocrite when it came to religious matters.

“It’s indeed a great shame to deny your own voice while it was truly yours just to cheat on others on media.

“Take off your turban before you lie!! All the while shout to be religious?? Pak Lebai???” Facebook user Jennifer Bong said, using the “skullcap wearer” label many used to refer to PAS members.

Tim Fin said this was “tangible proof never to trust a person who outwardly shows he’s pious but inwardly, the exact opposite”.

“The smile is just for public consumption. Don’t be fooled.” – February 14, 2019.