PAS has agreed that their president Abdul Hadi Awang be called to testify if a royal comission of inquiry (RCI) is held on the Memali incident to answer allegations that he “played a role” in the tragedy 32 years ago.

PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said this will allow Hadi to explain what really transpired in Memali and also answer allegations that he played a role in the tragedy.

Former inspector-general of police Rahim Noor, in an interview with The Malaysian Insight yesterday, had questioned why PAS was agreeable to an RCI when the role of Hadi would be exposed.

Rahim said Hadi’s speech in 1981, known as Amanat Hadi, had influenced the leader of the militant group Ibrahim Libya and his followers, who were under the notion they were fighting a righteous cause, when they clashed with the security forces.

Four police officers and 14 civilians died when security forces and Ibrahim’s followers clashed in Memali.

“PAS hopes that the RCI will be formed immediately with the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” Takiyuddin said in a statement today.

Takiyuddin also proposed that a list of witnesses, which was first brought up DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang in 2014 when he called for a RCI, be also called to testify.

They are former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamed, former deputy prime minister Musa Hitam, former Inspector-General of Police Hanif Omar, former information minister Rais Yatim, former deputy home minister Radzi Sheikh Ahmad, former Umno secretary-general Sanusi Junid, former Baling District police chief Tunku Muszaffar Shah and former senator Muhamad Yusof Husin, who was board of directors of a religious school set up by Ibrahim, whose real name is Ibrahim Mahmud.

Another witness on that list was Mohamed Amin Osman who was the acting inspector-general of police at that time. Amin, however,  died last year.

PAS has taken offence against Rahim’s comments yesterday for dragging Hadi’s name into the Memali incident.

Its vice-president Idris Ahmad slammed Rahim, saying he should just shut up and stop interfering in political affairs.

“Who is Rahim Noor to make accusations that the Memali incident was caused by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang,” Idris said in a statement yesterday. – August 23, 2017