PAS Parade With Fake Weapons Under Police Probe
Efforts are underway to identify any offences in the Himpunan Pemuda Islam Terengganu 2023 (HIMPIT) programme.
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PAS Youth’s parade during its Himpunan Pemuda Islam Terengganu 2023 (HIMPIT2023) last Friday has stoked controversy after images of some members wielding replica weapons circulated online.
Terengganu police chief Deputy Commissioner Datuk Rohaimi Md Isa said the youth group is currently being investigated for possible offences. Efforts are underway to identify any offences in the programme and appropriate action will be taken.
Rohaimi said the police were notified of the event but not of the parade of the group marching with fake weapons such as long swords, spears, and shields.
He said the parade has caused uneasiness and concerns among the public.
According to The Star, it’s understood that the two-day gathering was an annual event since 1991.
Terengganu PAS youth chief Mohd Harun Esa said there were no elements of violence and provocation as it was a tradition by local PAS youth divisions to bring their “replicas” to the march.
Each PAS youth division has its own theme for the year’s gathering, some even taking one month ahead to prepare to participate in the programme.
As it turned out, one of the themes in the parade this year was the controversial medieval-style military costume.
Mohd Harun said the costumes were similar to marches, war classics in cinema, or cosplay competitions where people showcase their favourite hero weapons.
The police also assisted us in managing traffic while marches from each contingent were taking place peacefully.
Terengganu PAS youth chief Mohd Harun Esa
PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, in responding to the online storm, likened the fake military costumes to Chinese opera costumes with swords and spears.
The parade march was criticised by Religious Affairs Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Naim Mokhtar who said it would leave a bad impression of Islamic teachings.
He believes the organiser of the event should have highlighted Islamic values that are based on peace, unity, and harmony.
READ MORE: Muslims Advised Against Joining Parades That Can Be Misinterpreted, Cause Disharmony
Emir Research chief executive officer Datuk Dr Rais Hussin claimed that PAS is attempting to hijack Islam with certain political narratives and images and misrepresent the religion.
What transpired yesterday?
Images of PAS Youth members marching on the road in fake military costumes and weapons were spread online without any context and caused many puzzled reactions.
It turned out to be Terengganu PAS Youth’s annual gathering and one of the events was a parade where each district contingent showcased their creativity.
Some of the designs spotted were a carnival train, a decorated motorcycle sidecar, and even a plane replica.
The other activities included sports competitions such as bola bayang and sepak takraw, and a motorcycle convoy.
READ MORE: Sword-Wielding PAS Men In Terengganu Just Cosplay For HIMPIT Parade
Nevertheless, the fake military uniforms drew criticisms and questions from netizens.
Some questioned the motives of the gathering and wondered who PAS is intending to go to war with.
They also pointed out that cosplayers have rules to follow and one of them is not wielding fake weapons publicly.
Another netizen brought up a similar case in which two local cosplayers were arrested for having fake weapons and wearing tactical costumes in a mall on 18 September 2022.
He hopes that those involved in the march with fake weapons would face similar consequences.
PAS nak berperang dengan siapa? pic.twitter.com/oJukoZI7h3
— mada(jo)ni 🏴 (@_joni_joni_joni) February 19, 2023
Just FYI cosplayers have guidelines about replica weapons too. There are laws against wielding them publicly. We don’t go waving and parading them around town screaming slogans for one. pic.twitter.com/VOOUJfdi3b
— Mimi pro rakyat🏴 (@galena83) February 19, 2023
PAS kata perarakan bersenjata mereka sama seperti acara ‘cosplay’. Diharap semua yang terlibat ditahan reman selama 3 hari seperti 2 lelaki di artikel kanan.
— Roman Akramovich (@SyedAkramin) February 20, 2023
“…Kedua-dua mereka direman selama tiga hari mulai hari ini hingga Selasa ini bawah Seksyen 117 Kanun Prosedur Jenayah”. pic.twitter.com/OY8HD9ZCLM
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