Anwar: Why silence when VIPs hug stars? 
MalaysiaKini.com
Jan 15, 2015   

PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim took religous authorities to task for being selective in taking action against tudung-clad girls who hugged K-Pop stars at a meet-the-fans event last week.

The Federal Territories Islamic Department (Jawi) threatened to seek arrest warrants if the girls did not turn up and co-operate with the religious authority within a week.

"Don't chase down youths who hug (pop stars) but fail to reprimand top leaders who do the same with artistes," Anwar said in a statement today.

The girls were widely criticised in social media after they were kissed on the forehead and hugged by the pop idols on stage.

Tabloid Harian Metro reported that the fans were "molested" by the stars.

“Threatening them (the teens) will only cause anxiety and confusion,” Anwar said.

In the same statement, the he also asked the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) to respond to activist lawyer Eric Paulsen, instead of the authorities taking action against the lawyer.

Paulsen last week tweeted that Jakim was promoting extremism every Friday, and he was subsequently arrested and kept overnight in the police lock-up while being investigated under the Sedition Act.

“His arrest was out of the ordinary and questionable. I have suggested that he be allowed to explain his remarks before any action is taken,” Anwar said.

The Permatang Pauh MP also urged authorities to take seriously claims that the proceedings in the military court trial of Major Zaidi Ahmad had elements of mistrial.

“Even though the Election Commission continues to be silent on Major Zaidi’s claims (about indelible ink during the general election), the claims by defence counsel Hanipa Maidin regarding irregularities in the proceedings of the military court should be taken seriously,” Anwar said.

Zaidi was found guilty of telling the media about the indelible ink and was given a honourable discharge. 

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