Code of conduct for G25 members soon

G25's Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin says members will be bound by a code of conduct to be announced soon. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, January 24, 2016.

G25, the group of prominent Malay retired civil servants, is drafting a code of conduct for its members.

Its spokesman, Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin, said the code of conduct would serve as a guideline for members on how to conduct themselves publicly and with the media.

Noor Farida said there was nothing out of the ordinary about having a code of conduct reminding members of any group to conduct themselves with decorum and honour.

"There is one for any organisation. There is nothing unusual about it.

"It is still a work in progress. It has not been approved by the members yet," she told The Malaysian Insider without revealing more details.

She only said the draft was being circulated among members of G25 for their feedback.

"I cannot reveal the details yet. If the draft is to be publicised, it must be with the agreement of the whole membership."

This step, however, comes after G25 member Tawfik Ismail courted controversy when he said the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) should be abolished.

Tawfik, a former Barisan Nasional MP and the son of the late Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, had stressed then that his view was his own.

The group emerged in December 2014 when its original 25 members penned an open letter calling for open discourse to reclaim Malaysia from growing extremism and racist elements.

It wanted discussion on the application of Islamic laws in Malaysian society and called for the country to return to moderation.

G25 has gone on to attract more members and has spoken up on moderation in religion as well as promoting reform to strengthen the institution of law and order, and good governance.

- TMI