Pasir Puteh MP Datuk Dr Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh made controversial remarks on May 10 during a political ceramah in Kuala Terengganu, describing companions of Prophet Muhammad such as Abu Bakr, Umar al-Khattab, Uthman Affan, and Ali Abi Talib with offensive terms like "loan shark" and "adulterer" before their conversion to Islam [1, 2].
His comments drew widespread criticism from political figures, religious leaders, and the public. Multiple police reports were filed nationwide over the remarks, which many viewed as disrespectful and misleading [3, 1, 4]. Nadia Nazri, vice-chief of AMK (Angkatan Muda Keadilan), condemned the statements, saying, "The companions of the Prophet are not tools to inflame political stages. They are the generation that served as the bridge between revelation and the ummah. Names as great as Saidina Abu Bakar and Saidina Umar cannot be invoked carelessly" [1].
Nik Muhammad Zawawi denied an intention to insult the companions, explaining his words referred to the historical context of the jahiliyah era before Islam's transformative influence [3, 2]. He later issued a public apology on May 15, withdrawing the offensive words, expressing regret for offending Muslims, and taking full responsibility as a personal mistake. He stressed that the remarks did not reflect PAS’s official stance, stating, "I had absolutely no intention of degrading or insulting individuals chosen and honoured by Allah SWT" [2].
Police, led by Inspector-General Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail, continue to monitor and investigate the controversy. Khalid said at a police event in Kuala Lumpur on May 15, "That matter is still under our attention and action. We are still waiting for further information from the relevant parties" [3, 4].
AMK has called for Nik Muhammad Zawawi to make a full public apology and urged PAS to clarify its official position on the controversy by May 22 [1].
