Kassim was detained at his house in Kulim. - Bernama
KULIM: A former political and social activist was picked up from his house in Taman Kulim Perdana here over statements made during a seminar in Putrajaya recently.
Dr Kassim Ahmad, 81, was detained by enforcement personnel from the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) and Department of Islamic Development Malaysia at 12.30pm on Thursday.
He was detained after an arrest warrant was issued against him by Jawi under Section 9 of the Syariah Criminal Offences (Federal Territories) Act for disrespecting religious authorities.
Dr Kassim, who was accompanied by his wife, was then brought to the Kulim district police headquarters to have his statement recorded.
Kassim, who once headed the opposition party Parti Sosialis Rakyat Malaysia, sparked a controversy during a seminar in Kuala Lumpur on Feb 15 and Feb 16 when he allegedly uttered statements that might mislead Muslims.
His former colleague Selangor state Senator Dr Syed Husin Ali criticised the action, saying "This is not the way to treat an old man who is unhealthy. The authorities could easily have asked him to come in to answer their questions."
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