Zaid: Jamil Khir's wrong - liberal Muslims not 'deviants'

Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim today said the government has no right to punish those who don’t hold to traditional religious beliefs.

Zaid said even though these groups do not hold the same beliefs as Minister in Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom, they are also entitled to their views.

He was asked for comments on Jamil Khir's reported statement that liberal groups would be monitored and may have their publications - either in print or online - censored.

“I am a liberal, does that mean they can arrest me for having this belief?

“He can threaten us all he wants, but we can continue objecting,” said Zaid during a press conference at his house.

Rather than cracking down on such groups, Zaid retorted that Jamil should be arrested for being a threat to democracy when he labelled liberal Muslims as “deviants”.

He also described Jamil Khir's statement as "nonsense" and a clear reason for right-thinking Malaysians to support the 'Save Malaysia' movement by calling for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's resignation.

Zaid had earlier announced updates on the planned March 27 gathering, now set to be held in Shah Alam.

The Star Online had quoted Jamil Khir's written response in Parliament today that the government had made its stance clear against liberalism in a 2006 declaration during the 74th National Fatwa Council’s discussion task force on Malaysian Islamic affairs.

It had labelled that liberal movements contain “understandings which deviate from faith and Syariah”. -Mkini