KOTA BARU: Pas will not ask Perlis Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli to step down following his son's court case today.
Pas deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said that the party saw no reason for Mohd Shukri to resign since the offence was committed by his son, not him.
Tuan Ibrahim emphasised Pas' adherence to the principle of innocence until proven guilty.
He also criticised the media for repeatedly referring to the accused as the Menteri Besar's son instead of using his name, suggesting an underlying bias.
"The media's focus on the Menteri Besar rather than the accused indicates a negative agenda. There is no justification for asking the Menteri Besar to resign over his son's actions," he said.
He pointed out that in previous cases involving political figures, such as the son of Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu and a former Merbuk Member of Parliament.
"Even the son of Mat Sabu was once accused, his officials and most recently the former Merbuk Member of Parliament were convicted, why were they not forced to resign?
"For Pas, if an offence occurs, then the offender should be the one who needs to be punished and not others," he told New Straits Times.
Meanwhile, Pas spiritual leader Datuk Hashim Jasin said that the party would hold a meeting to discuss the issue further after the court's decision.
"I will not comment further on this issue. It is better for us to wait for the court's decision," he said when contacted.
Perlis Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli's son claimed trial at the Sessions Court here today to a charge of submitting false claims for the supply of drinks for the Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail worth RM19,505.10 in February.
Mohd Syafeeq Mohd Shukri, 35, pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read before Judge Norsalha Hamzah by the court interpreter.
According to the charge sheet, Mohd Syafeeq is alleged to have submitted a government order document under the name Mohd Farid Abdul Hamid, worth RM19,505.10, for the supply of drinks to Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin at the Tuanku Fauziah Hospital, despite knowing that it contained false details.
The charge was framed under Section 18 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009.
The offence is punishable under Section 24(2) of the same Act which carries maximum 20 years' imprisonment and a fine no less than five times the amount of the false claim or RM10,000 whichever is higher, if found guilty.