JERANTUT: PAS has thanked Terengganu Police Chief, Datuk Rohaimi Md Isa, who confirmed that a picture of Pas Youth members dressed as Islamic warriors with replica swords, and marching at an event was nothing more than a parade held as part of an event.
Pas Information Chief Khairil Nizam Khirudin said Police also confirmed that the parade was one of the events held at the Terengganu Islamic Youth Gathering (Himpit) program last Friday and Saturday.
His response comes in the face of a malicious accusation by a Kelantan Pakatan Harapan leader who linked the cosplay of the 'Himpit' Gathering in Terengganu as an element that could be investigated under the Hazardous Corrosive and Explosive Substances Act 1958.
He adds that some suggested that the event be probed in the aspect of 'anti-terrorism.
"Was the love for Islam, the religion of peace, wrong during the reign of Madani Malaysia?" he asked in a statement.
Khairil Nizam who is also the Jerantut Member of Parliament said the accusations thrown at the event was also deliberately meant to tarnish the party's image in addition to bringing yet another dogma of Islamophobia into society.
Yesterday, the Home Ministry urged organisers to be mindful when organising any activities which can create chaos and uneasiness amongst the people in the country.
Its minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the political climate had yet to calm down since the 15th General Election (GE15), hence all parties needed to be sensitive and responsible not to make the situation worse.
"Any act of display to express passion with the use of weapon-like symbols or 'military' is inappropriate and can cause public distress.
"The video clip featuring nasyid song in Arabic clearly emphasises a war theme. This brings to question whether the parade was to instil the spirit of war," he said in a statement.
He stressed that stern action would be taken against any party if actions were deemed to threaten the peace, harmony and security of the people.
He also said that although Malaysia was a democratic country, people should be wary of existing sensitivities.