765) BERITA NEW STRAITS TIMES 11 JUN 2013 : Islamic NGOs urge swift action on those who make provocative slurs

The Muslim non-governmental organisations that lodged reports on Facebook postings allegedly insulting Prophet Muhammad in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Pic by Sugumaran Suppiah

KUALA LUMPUR: Fifteen Islamic non-governmental organisations representing thousands of members today lodged police reports and urged several authorities to take swift action against those who had insulted Islam and Prophet Muhammad through the social media.

The group’s spokeman Datuk Nadzim Johan said swift and stern action were critical in preventing provocative slurs made against Islam from manifesting into untoward incidents that could disrupt the nation’s peace and harmony.

“We (Islamic NGOs) are tired of lodging police reports over and over again against insulting remarks that instigate hatred in this country.

“Yet, we here we are again lodging another report. We understand that there are laws and regulations to abide to and we the authorities will nab these culprits and bring them to justice.

“However, we also fear that if action is not taken soon, this situation might prompt physical attacks as the culprits had insulted Muslims and our faith,” he told reporters outside the Dang Wangi police headquarters after lodging the reports today.

Nadzim said an email was also in circulation offering anyone who manage to catch the culprits a gold bar.

“The insults were obviously made by those who do not like to see the peace and harmony we are enjoying today.”

Nadzim, who is the chief activist of the Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM), said the organisations will also hold a meeting to decide on their next course of action against those who disrespect Islam.

Among the 15 organisations which lodged the reports today were PPIM, Malay Army Veterans Association (PVTM), Keris Mas Malaysia, Seni Silat Kalam, Malaysian Islamic Welfare And Sermon Organisation (PEKIDA), Cahaya Haluan Amanah Insan Malaysia (Chai Malaysia) and Young Malaysian Journalists Club (YMJC).

Chai Malaysia founder Abdul Hamid Kamaruddin said there was no basis for anyone to attack Islam as Malaysia is a multi-religious nation, and the government had given room for people of every 9 to practice their religion.

“Why do they have to do this? The government must take stern action.

“The Malays and Muslims here have been very patient all these while, but this does not mean that the tolerance can hold forever.”

Gabungan Melayu Malaysia chairman Mazlan Man, who is also guru of Seni Silat Kalam, said Malay Muslims should stay united and not give any room to others to look down on Islam and Malays.

Meanwhile, YMJC president Dzulkarnain Taib said the series of insults against Islam and Malay rulers might be part of organised attacks by pro-opposition cybertroopers, the Red Bean Army.

He said the people wanted to see a no-nonsense approach in the action taken by the Home Ministry.

It was reported that the Communication and Multimedia Ministry had identified two individuals who allegedly insulted Prophet Muhammad through Facebook on Friday.

Its minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said the culprits were registered as "Calvin Gani" and "Rakyat Anarki" on Facebook, and the cases had been submitted to the police.

Read more: Islamic NGOs urge swift action on those who make provocative slurs - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/islamic-ngos-urge-swift-action-on-those-who-make-provocative-slurs-1.297667#ixzz2VsYnp818