Siti Nurhaliza & Husband Clarify Allegations as Cops Probe Her Son’s Tahnik Ceremony

By Karissa Lund  •  04 May 2021 in News

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After the hospital SOP controversy, Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza is on the receiving end of criticism again from netizens who claim that a religious ceremony for her baby boy Muhammad Afwa featured several guests who had travelled across state borders for it.

Controversy ensued specifically after snapshots of a minister and a popular Muslim preacher who were at the ceremony, made rounds on social media. They were spotted at the tahnik ceremony held in Siti’s home, putting something sweet on the baby’s mouth. Taḥnīk is an Islamic ceremony of touching the lips of a newborn baby with honey, sweet juice or pressed dates.

The public questioned how one of the preachers, Ustaz Azhar Idrus, who is believed to be based in Terengganu, could cross borders under the CMCO where interstate travel is prohibited.

According to FMT, Ampang Jaya police chief Mohamad Farouk Eshak said he had received one report over the incident involving the ceremony and investigations are being conducted under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1998 (Act 342).

It is not known if Siti or her husband Datuk Seri Khalid Mohamad Jiwa were the ones who were called up by the police. Other individuals involved in the alleged SOP breaches are being identified and will also be called to give their statements.

Yesterday (3 May), an official statement from Siti and her husband was released to clear the air about the whole affair. It explained that there was no interstate travel done by their guests during the ceremony for their son on 26 April.

“No interstate activities took place. Instead, the individual agreed to attend because he happened to be in Kuala Lumpur on the day of the ceremony,” Siti said.

She said the ceremony and the number of guests in attendance complied with the conditions for gatherings and events under the conditional movement control order (CMCO). Adding that the ceremony was divided into three sessions with a limited number of guests, attended by the couple’s immediate family and the Mawlid group during the tahnik ceremony.

She also assured her fellow Malaysians that she would never turn her back on the law no matter what.

“Apart from being sensitive to the current situation, we have never taken this lightly. We try our best to comply with it as much as possible,” she said.

 

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A post shared by Siti Nurhaliza Tarudin (@ctdk)

Siti said the statement was issued to clarify matters and end speculations that could lead to defamation.

“This explanation is not for self-defence but aims to clear the air in response to several things that may create confusion and misunderstandings towards certain parties. We also take this opportunity to apologise if we made anyone feel uneasy.

“We understand and open-heartedly accept any comments – we are also ready to cooperate with the authorities if needed,” the statement read, adding that this will be the final statement from Siti addressing the issue as she wants to focus on her confinement period after giving birth.