PAS volunteer corps Unit Amal has questioned the motive of the Perlis mufti or his aides in linking them to the torching of the preacher’s official vehicle.

Unit Amal director Mohd Nazree Mohd Aris said mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin’s Facebook administrator page has falsely linked PAS members to the incident.

Mohd Nazree said its members had been arrested yesterday by police and remanded for four days to facilitate investigations into the incident that took place on March 22.

“However, I understand that the police are looking for the main suspect. But he is not a member of Unit Amal, nor is he a member of PAS. We don’t even know him.

“It is understood that the suspect is a drug addict with a past criminal record, just like what was reported by Malaysiakini today.”

Mohd Nazree was responding to Mohd Asri’s Facebook posting that said two Unit Amal members had been arrested by the police in connection with the case, and included images of both.

“According to reports, there were plans to hire someone to injure the mufti with acid.

“Secondly, the suspect holds an important position in their political party, which raises questions on Unit Amal’s role,” said the posting that is believed to be uploaded by the page administrator on behalf of Mohd Asri.

Mohd Nazree said the posting is irresponsible as it spreads false information as the two individuals described are not involved in the incident.

“The persons in the photo (uploaded to Facebook) do not know (about the incident) and are not involved.

“For me, this is an irresponsible act on the part of the admin of Dr Maza’s Facebook page,” he said, referring to Mohd Asri.

He added that Unit Amal is shocked to learn the police have remanded one of its members who has no connection to the case and did not have a criminal record.

The Malaysian Insight attempted to get Mohd Asri’s comments. However, it is understood that he is currently in Sabah.

On Sunday, police arrested a 36-year-old man who confessed to have, with a friend, set fire to Mohd Asri’s black Honda Accord on March 22 after being paid RM500.

According to the suspect, the people who paid him were on a mission to harm Asri, and had initially wanted the mufti’s face splashed with acid.

Police are investigating the case under Section 435 of the Penal Code for mischief by fire with an intent to cause damage, which is punishable by up to 14 years’ jail and a fine. – May 22, 2019.