MISSING activist Amri Che Mat had confessed that he was involved in Shia teachings in Perlis, state mufti Mohamad Asri Zainul Abidin said today.

Asri said that Amri, who was the founder of the civil society group, Perlis Hope, had confessed this when when he was summoned to the Perlis Mufti Department in 2016.

“I told Amri if you practice Shia, you do it behind closed doors. That’s not my business (what he does). The path he chooses is between him and God. I can’t stop his beliefs.

“Amri then openly told me that he was Shia. His followers and the police were present at the meeting,” Asri said.

The mufti was refuting allegations made by Amri’s wife, Norhayati Ariffin, who told the Human Rights Comission of Malaysia (Suhakam) public inquiry that Perlis Hope, which was founded by her husband, was a non-political and non-religious body.

She also told Suhakam that Asri and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Shahidan Kassim were involved in her husband’s disappearance as they were against him and Perlis Hope.

Asri alleged that Norhayati’s testimony at the public inquiry yesterday was not true, adding she could have blamed them because she was upset that her husband is still missing.

Asri said he visited Amri’s home after receiving complaints from the public, adding that since he became mufti in 2015, the department had received numerous complaints on Shia activities.

“Amri was not at home. When I told the family members I wanted to enter the house they didn’t say anything.

“Allegations that we broke into the home and shouted at his children were not true. The wife (Norhayati) had lied.

“When we entered (the house), we saw pictures of Shia imams and it was like a Shia shrine in Iran. There was also a Shia Kaballah rock.

“We entered with respect and we didn’t confiscate any items.”

Asri said he later told Amri to bring his followers and a scholar who is well versed in Shia, for a debate.

Asri also said that Amri had “nikah mutaah” with a few women in Perlis and police have provided reports how he carried out that activity.

Nikah mutaah is a private and verbal temporary marriage contract that is practiced in Shia Islam in which the duration of the marriage must be specified and agreed upon in advance.

“Maybe that could be the reason why he disappeared. He could have gone off with another woman. I don’t know,” the Perlis mufti said.

Asri also said that he has nothing personal against Perlis Hope the non-profit organisation that was started by Amri to help the poor.

“Perlis Hope gave porridge to the people so why should we be jealous. Perlis Islamic Religious Council has also been giving millions to help the people.

“I’m only concerned about extremists thinking,” Asri said.

Amri was abducted 550m from his home in Padang Behor, Kangar on November 24, 2016. Police later found his car in Bukit Chabang.

In her police report, Norhayati said there had been unknown cars and motorcycles parked near their home the day the activist went missing.

Asri also said that Suhakam have not subpoenaed him to give evidence at the public inquiry.

“I was interviewed by Suhakam in 2016 and so far I have not received any request to attend. If I am called, I will go.”

The Suhakam public inquiry aims to determine whether Amri’s abduction, as well as the disappearance of three others – Pastor Raymond Koh, Joshua Hilmy and his wife Ruth – were cases of enforced disappearances sanctioned by the state

The panel is headed by commissioners Mah Weng Kwai, Aishah Bidin and Nik Salida Suhaila Nik Saleh. – January 23, 2018.