Published: Saturday February 25, 2012 MYT 3:16:00 PM

Police probe shoe-flinging imam

By M. KUMAR

PUTRAJAYA: Police have recorded statements from several people in their probe into an imam who flung his shoes at a panel of three Federal Court judges during a proceeding.

Putrajaya OCPD Asst Comm Abdul Razak Abdul Majid said Saturday police had begun questioning a few witnesses on the alleged incident, including members of the Malaysian judiciary.

“So far, we have recorded statements from two or three people and will be calling in more to assist our investigation,” he said when contacted on Saturday.

He said police have also contacted the imam, by the name of Tuan Haji Hoslan Haji Hussin, to have his statement recorded.

“We have contacted him and he should be coming in sometime this week,” he said.

ACP Abdul Razak said the case is being investigated under Section 353 of the Penal Code for using violence to scare public servants from performing their duty, which carries a two-year jail sentence or a fine.

On Friday, a press statement issued by Federal Court Chief Registrar's office said that Federal Court deputy registrar Jumirah Marjuki lodged the report at the Putrajaya police headquarters in regards to the incident.

Its head of the Corporate Communication and International Relations Unit, Mohd Aizuddin Zolkeply, said the judiciary viewed seriously matters that could tarnish the image of the judicial institutions, whether by direct or indirect actions, including comments or statements that could undermine the credibility and image of the institution.

According to media reports, Hoslan hurled the shoes at the panel of judges, chaired by Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Zulkefli Ahmad Makinuddin, after they rejected his application for the court to hear his appeal.

Hoslan was in court to challenge his eviction order from the Ar-Rahimah Mosque in Kampung Pandan obtained by the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP).

MAIWP wanted Hoslan, who was an imam rawatib at the mosque since 2008, to be evicted because of disciplinary problems.

Hoslan filed leave to appeal to the Federal Court after the Court of Appeal, on Sept 20 last year, dismissed his appeal and upheld the High Court's decision.

The Federal Court three-man panel allowed MAIWP's preliminary objection to dismiss Hoslan's leave to appeal on grounds that the notice of motion was not filed within the stipulated time.

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