Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mujahid Yusof Rawa has described the admission by PAS leader Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz who had previously denied that it was his voice in an audio recording of Umno’s contributions to PAS, as having no principles.
Mujahid, Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) vice-president, said the act of deceit is still wrong, in particular when it was done as a cover for a bigger interest.
“You should not (lie)…if you have principles, a lie is a lie,” he told reporters yesterday.
Prior to this, Nik Abduh had denied that the voice in the audio regarding the donation from Umno was his, but on Wednesday (Feb 13) admitted that it was indeed his voice.
The Bachok MP and PAS Central Committee member was reported as saying the denial was made to protect the reputation of the party and was done with the blessings of PAS president Abdul Hadi.
Meanwhile, Amanah Youth lodged a police report yesterday regarding the voice recording and an allegation by Nik Abduh claiming that the US’ Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) had always been in contact with him.
The police report was lodged by Amanah Youth chief Mohd Sany Hamzan at the Dang Wangi polis headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.
Amanah Youth vice-chief Mohd Shazni Munir Mohd Ithnin called on the police to identify the CIA agent who was in contact with Nik Abduh and verify the nature of information shared.
Shazni said if allegations of Nik Abduh’s links to the CIA were true, it should be taken seriously as it could undermine national sovereignty.
PAS has continued to defend Nik Abduh and deny it received RM90mil from Umno.
PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said Nik Abduh’s words in the recording were taken out of context and that he was not quoted in full.
“After evaluating the recording, I found that only part of what he said was quoted. What he said was taken out of context.
“The purpose of the allegations that we received RM90mil was to tarnish our image.
“In that context, we as victims of circumstances, had to strategise our move. We are not admitting to certain things (but) telling things the other way around,” he said.
Takiyuddin said that PAS would continue to investigate the controversial recording in full but did not say how Nik Abduh’s words were taken out of context.
He was also adamant that PAS did not receive the RM90mil as evidenced by its statement of accounts.
He said he had sent the statements dating back to 2015 to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
“It seems that until now, MACC has not found a huge amount of money in our statement of accounts. That’s very clear.
“Whether implied or indirectly, there was no record whatsoever of us receiving RM10mil, what more RM90mil,” he said.
Deputy Minister Mohamed Hanipa Maidin said Hadi is guilty as an accomplice for instructing Nik Abduh to lie about an audio recording implicated in a bribery scandal.
“In law, both parties are guilty…a principal offender and the accomplice,” the Amanah leader and former party lawyer said in a Facebook posting.
“People will also say they are partners in crime. Even in religion, it is wrong…to lie and to encourage people to lie. Regardless of how holy that person is.”
Hanipa also criticised Nik Abduh for raising his dead father’s name in self-defence, calling the move “disgusting”.
“To drag a dead man’s name is extremely unfair. How can the deceased defend himself?” he said.
Nik Abduh claimed that his father, the late PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, had also lied in the past in order to protect party secrets.
Earlier report: Feb 14, Nik Abduh: Told to Lie About Recording on Funds from Umno