The controversial imam who witnessed Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan’s swearing ceremony - and then revealed details about it in a PKR press conference during the Permatang Pauh by-election - has been transferred.

ramlang porigi imam witness in saiful bukhari azlan anwar ibrahim sodomy 2 210808 01He is posted to the administration and finance department, Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim), effective Sept 9.

Ramlang Porigi - a junior cleric - was one of the four imams who witnessed Saiful’s oath at the Federal Territory mosque on Aug 15. Saiful swore on the Koran that he was indeed sodomised by his then boss, Anwar Ibrahim on June 26.

However, in a surprise turn of events Ramlang showed up at the Aug 25 press conference organised by PKR in Permatang Pauh, during the closing days of the by-election and gave his account of Saiful’s swearing at his mosque.

Impact on by-election

Ramlang claimed he was instructed to witness the swearing and that there were discrepancies in the ceremony. This was a day before polling on Aug 26.

This revelation by Ramlang was believed to have an impact on the by-election, as the Barisan Nasional campaign had focused on Saiful’s swearing ceremony to influence the Muslim constituents in Permatang Pauh.

ramlang porigi transfer letter 110908Ramlang retains his Grade 17 officer status, but no reasons for the immediate transfer was stated in his transfer letter dated Sept 8. It was signed by department director Abdul Murat Abdul Wahab.

Ramlang’s lawyer, Ahmad Nizam Hamid, confirmed that his client was transferred when contacted by Malaysiakini this morning.