No Aidilfitri joy for jailed imam's family

The wife of Imam Hoslan Hussein, jailed for hurling his slipper at judges, was planning on not going home to her kampung for Hari Raya because she wanted to visit her husband on the third day of the festivities.

However, the hopes of Noorliza Mat Isa (right), 43, from Sungkai, Perak, were dashed today when the jail refused to allow her visit as Hoslan has been confirned over an alleged assault incident.

According to Noorliza, Hoslan was placed in solitary confinement for 14 days starting on Aug 14, for allegedly inciting three fellow prisoners to beat up an ustaz inside the prison.

When contacted by Malaysiakini, Noorliza said she was informed that Hoslan had also been beaten up while under incarceration.

She added that she went to the Kajang prison on Aug 16 with her sister-in-law after being told about the incident.

"I was not sure (that Hoslan had been beaten-up). I was feeling uneasy, so I went to the prison (to find out the truth). But the prison officer said he (Hoslan) was being kept in a solitary cell.

"When I wanted to see if he had really been beaten up, I was not allowed to see him," said Noorliza.

Police report to no avail

"He had been confined for 14 days, which means that I cannot see him during Raya. The officer said if I wanted to see him, I have to appeal, but most of the offices are closed during that time, so how am I to make an appeal?" she said.

As she was unable to meet Hoslan, Noorliza - accompanied by her sister-in-law – has lodged a police report over the incident.

However, Noorliza said, the police officer who received the report had told her that the force is unable to act as the incident was an internal prison matter.

"I thought that I could visit him in prison tomorrow, with the kids. But as this has happened, we will return home to my village by train.

"I really feel hurt. The children have come home from their hostels. They returned wanting to meet their father.

"But now this has happened; we cannot go against the law," said Noorliza, holding back the tears.

Noorliza is permitted to see Hoslan again on Sept 2. The prison had originally scheduled for her to see her husband tomorrow.

Reunion hopes dashed

Noorliza had wanted to celebrate Aidilfitri in Kuala Lumpur for three days before she returns to her village for the following four days.

On the fourth day of Raya, she was to return to her village by train with her children, added Noorliza.

Earlier before the disappointing news, an eager Noorliza had told Malaysiakini when met at the kindagarten where she works, "This is the first time we are celebrating Hari Raya without the Imam (Hoslan).

"Usually, Imam would do all the work and preparations. But this time, I am doing it.

"On the third day of Raya, we will visit Imam because we are only allowed to visit him on that day.

"We will only return to the village on the fourth day but it would only be for a short time, as my children have to return to school on Monday,"

When sharing about her preparations for Hari Raya, Noorliza said she had earlier hoped that her husband would be released before the holiday, although she knew it was whisful thinking as there was only a week left to the celebrations.

"We had applied for parole. It was hoped that the Imam (left) could be released earlier than the actual date.

"But people from the prisons told us that it may take sometime.

"If possible, of course I would have liked the Imam to come out (of jail) before Hari Raya. But it looked like he would not because Raya (at that time) was already very near," she added.

In March, the Federal Court sentenced Hoslan to a one-year jail term, while High Court judge Zulkefli Ahmad Makinuddin, when reading his statement, said the punishment was appropriate for the case.

The judge had ruled that Hoslan's actions did not reflect the image of an Imam as he should have shown good manners depicting his religious position.

On the contrary, Zulkefli said the Imam's action showed that his attitude was "arrogant, rude … violent and totally disrespectful of the judiciary".

Hoslan had however defended his actions saying the court had not delivered justice over his case, that he said involved an allegedly corrupt mosque administration.

First Raya without Hoslan

On her kids’ Hari Raya preparations, Noorliza said she had to purchase their clothes in stages as all four live in hostels.

"This is really the first time we are celebrating Raya without the Imam. Thank God, my children did not say anything. They understand.

“Although it is sad, I have to be strong. I feel strong because I have friends who are always supportive and encouraging," she said.

"I have bought the clothes. Now we only have to buy some pants. We will wait for my kids from the hostels to return, then we will buy some more," added Noorliza, who works as a child caretaker in Kampung Pandan, Kuala Lumpur.

Hoslan, from Slim River but raised in Kampung Pandan and Noorliza, from Sungkai, Perak, have seven offspring aged between 6 and16. The couple are life members of PAS since 1998.

On her household needs and contributions she has received thus far, Noorliza thanks her contributors who have helped her - financially and in kind - to lighten her burden.

"Thank Allah, there is some contribution from PAS women's wing, from Baitulmal. Others have given us rice and kitchen utensils.

"Our neighbours also know what has happened to us. They know the Imam well as he is friendly with everyone. So they, too, have helped us," she added.