THE sacking of 25 imams in Perlis by the state religious authorities earlier this year was the motive behind the torching of Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin’s car, police investigations revealed.

Asri was perceived to be behind the sackings although the mufti had explained he was not empowered to approve such an action, adding that the decision was made by the state religious authorities with the approval of the Perlis palace.

Police investigations revealed that the torching of Asri’s car came about after the suspects could not carry out their initial plan, which was to splash acid on the mufti’s face.

Perlis police chief Noor Mushar Mohd told The Malaysian Insight this information was gathered from the five suspects who police currently have in custody.

“The culprits behind this were holding a grudge. They believed Asri was responsible for removing the 25 imams and transferring 10 others,” Noor Mushar said.

Although police had arrested five suspects, Noor Mushar said they are still looking for the mastermind.

Police believe the suspects who carried out the attack were paid by someone or a group of people who wanted to get even with Asri.

“We have arrested five men so far. The latest arrest was made on Wednesday night and all have been remanded.”

Prior to Wednesday night’s arrest, police had detained three men on Monday and another on Sunday.

Noor Mushar said police have already ascertained the whereabouts of the main suspect who wanted to splash acid on Asri’s face.

“We will make the arrest very soon. We have identified him and he is in Perlis,” he said.

Following the sackings, Asri had said the removal of 25 imams and transfer of 10 others were carried out as they were old and there were many qualified youngsters to fill the positions.

Asri had also said that the imam had failed to carry out their duties as requested.

On Sunday, police arrested a 36-year-old man who confessed to have, with a friend, set fire to 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.

It was reported that the man is a member of PAS’ Unit Amal – a volunteer corps under the Islamic party.

Unit Amal director Mohd Nazree Mohd Aris questioned Asri’s motive in linking the unit to the torching of the mufti’s official vehicle.

Nazree said Asri’s official Facebook page had falsely linked PAS members to the incident.

The administrator had posted photos of suspects who allegedly torched Asri’s car on the latter’s Facebook page. They were photographed with PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang and the crime became linked to the Islamist party.

Although the post has since been deleted, with Asri also apologising for the misunderstanding caused, PAS Youth said it is not enough. They demanded that action be taken against the administrator, whose identity should also be revealed. – May 24, 2019.