At the recent EGM (extraordinary general meeting) of the Malaysian Bar held on Aug 18, 2006 at Wisma MCA, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, where a record number of lawyers attended and voted in support of a motion proposed by Raja Aziz Addruse calling for an ad-hoc committee to study the amendments to the Legal Profession Act over disciplinary matters, an announcement was read out by Raja Aziz at the close of the meeting on behalf of Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, a member of the Malaysian Bar.

The announcement was to the effect that a religious fatwa had been issued on the life of Malik Imtiaz Sarwar for his role in the Lina Joy case.

Investigations have been carried out with regard to the said fatwa. Our investigations reveal that no such fatwa was ever issued.

We question the motive of those who misled Raja Aziz into making the statement and using the EGM to tarnish the image of the muftis and the fatwa institutions.

Conduct such as this has the tendency to heighten religious tension and we would like to advise those involved to be very careful of their actions as they can give rise to serious consequences.

Zainur Zakaria is protem chairman, Peguam Pembela Islam (PPI), and Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar is president of Persatuan Peguam Syarie.