'Mat Sabu a traitor', policeman's daughter says

KUALA TERENGGANU, Dec 14 — A daughter of a policeman who was killed during the communist attack at the Bukit Kepong police station regarded PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu a traitor.

Azlas Jaafar, 65, told the Sessions Court here today that the remarks by Mohamad, popularly known as Mat Sabu, on the Bukit Kepong communist insurgency was an insult to the 25 policemen and their families killed in the incident.

“Mat Sabu is a traitor. I did not hear what he (Mat Sabu) said in his speech, but from what I know (from other people), he insulted the policemen, including my late father (Constable Jaafar Hassan),” she added. Azlas, who is wheelchair-bound, said this when questioned by deputy public prosecutor Datuk Razali Che Ani on how she came to know about Mohamad’s remarks on the Bukit Kepong attack. Also appearing for the prosecution in the case is deputy public prosecutor Yusaini Amer Abd Karim.

In the dock is Mohamad, who is charged with defaming policemen who were killed in a communist attack at the Bukit Kepong police station in Johor in 1950. He allegedly made the remark during his speech at Pusat Asuhan Tadika Islam (Pasti) Al Fahmi, Markas Tarbiyah Pas Padang Menora, in Tasik Gelugor, Penang, on August 21, 2011, saying that the communists led by Ahmad Indera, who was better known as Mat Indera, were the true independence fighters in the Bukit Kepong incident which saw 25 policemen and their families killed. The remarks caused an uproar especially among family members of the Bukit Kepong policemen.

Many police reports were lodged against him by ex-policemen associations, individuals and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The hearing of the case had all the while being held at the Butterworth Sessions court, but had to be shifted to the Sessions Court here due to Azlas’ health condition. Azlas, who is the 10^th prosecution witness, is unfit to travel.

Questioned by Mohamad’s lawyer, Mohamed Hanipa Maidin, whether she lodged a report against Mat Sabu, Azlas, who is illiterate, said a neighbour did. When showed to her a copy of the report, Azlas said the signature on the report was not hers. Mohamad is also faced with an alternative charge of defaming Marine Constable Abu Bakar Daud, Constable Jaafar Hassan and Yusoff Rono and their families, at the same time, date and place. Judge Meor Sulaiman Ahmad Tarmizi then set Jan 6 to continue hearing of the case, with the next witness at the Sessions Court in Butterworth.