What’s Perkasa basis in calling G25 deviants, asks Noor Farida

Perkasa at its annual general assembly today urged Putrajaya to declare G25 a deviant group. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, December 20, 2015.

G25 spokesperson Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin said today Malay right-wing group Perkasa has no basis to call the advocates for moderation in Islam deviants.

Responding to a motion at Perkasa’s 6th annual general assembly today in which the group asked Putrajaya to declare G25 a deviant group, Noor Farida said G25 has never gone to the extent of asking any Muslim to be an apostate.

“What is the reason? Ask Perkasa what exactly we have done to promote liberalism and pluralism. We are only asking for moderation in contrast to extremist acts.

“What does pluralism mean? What does liberalism mean? We are not saying everyone has the right to apostasy,” she told The Malaysian Insider tonight.

“Perkasa should explain why we should be declared deviant, we are not Ayah Pin.”

She said G25, which comprises prominent Malays and retired senior civil servants, has always upheld the pillars of Islam. 

Noor Farida said the group was disappointed at having all kinds of accusations hurled against its members.

G25, which recently called for a review of Shariah laws, was accused by Perkasa today of challenging the sanctity of Islam.

“In view of liberal and pluralistic thoughts that are becoming more widespread which can challenge Islam’s believers, this assembly condemns the rudeness of G25 and urges the government to be firm and to stop this kind of thinking by issuing a fatwa declaring G25 as a deviant group,” the motion at the Perkasa assembly today read.

- TMI