PAS DISMISSES DR M’S APOLOGY, INSISTS ON MEMALI RCI
‘Uncover truth behind bloody incident during Dr M’s tenure’
THE party says the former premier’s apology at the PPBM delegates’ assembly rings hollow. It will not weaken Pas’ resolve to push for a royal commission of inquiry into the bloody Memali incident to obtain justice for the victims.
THE apology by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will not weaken calls to expedite the establishment of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to investigate the 1985 Memali incident.
Kedah Pas deputy commissioner Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said the formation of the RCI should, instead, be accelerated to uncover the truth behind the bloody incident that claimed the lives of 14 civilians and four policemen.
He said the setting up of an RCI was paramount to bring justice to family members of those who lost their lives in the clash between civilians and the police force that took place during Dr Mahathir’s time as prime minister.
Sanusi, who also leads a special committee to seek justice for the Memali victims in Kedah, said the committee and the victims’ relatives believed that the incident 33 years ago was the result of a grave mistake by Dr Mahathir’s administration.
“We agree with the call by former deputy prime minister Tun Musa Hitam for the setting up of an RCI to investigate the incident, even if it can only be formed after the 14th General Election (GE14).
“However, we are harbouring hope that it will be expedited without further delay.”
Sanusi said it was crucial for the RCI to be expedited as those involved in the tragedy were still alive, including Dr Mahathir, Musa, Tan Sri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad (then home minister), Tunku Muszaffar Shah (former Baling police chief) and many others, including family members of the victims.
“We are worried that witnesses would no longer be available if the RCI is not formed any time soon.
“Two days ago, a widow of a Memali victim died and this is a huge loss since she could have appeared as a witness.”
Sanusi chided Dr Mahathir for making a show of issuing an apology while delivering his policy speech at the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s (PPBM) inaugural delegates’ assembly three days ago, but at the same time, putting the blame on others.
“He (Dr Mahathir) said he was sorry, but he put the blame on others, including digging up old issues such as ‘Amanat Hadi’.
“So, what does his apology mean if he is blaming others for what happened ?”
“Amanat Hadi” was a Pas decree, issued by Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, who had allegedly stated that those who supported Barisan Nasional were infidels.
In his speech, Dr Mahathir blamed mufti at the time for not countering “Amanat Hadi” when it became public in the 1980s, which he claimed was the reason that influenced those involved in the incident to engage in a violent confrontation with the police.
In the incident on Nov 19, 1985, violence erupted when villagers resisted the police’s attempt to arrest religious teacher and local Pas leader Ibrahim Mahmud, better known as Ibrahim Libya, under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for deviant teachings, an allegation rejected by Pas.
Dr Mahathir was prime minister at the time of the incident in Kampung Memali, Baling, Kedah, that saw a confrontation between the police, Ibrahim and his supporters.
Sanusi reiterated the committee’s seven demands, which among others, included calling for the government to admit its mistake in handling the incident and to issue an apology to victims and their family members, the formation of an RCI to investigate the incident in a fair and transparent manner without political interference, and to recommend those responsible to be charged in court.
“We are demanding for the Memali White Paper to be corrected to reflect the truth and not ‘Mahathir’s version’, where mistakes were covered up by false reports.
“The family members of the victims should be compensated for their losses, while the property and cash belonging to the madrasah should be returned, and the victims’ names cleared of any wrongdoing,” Sanusi added.