The Islamic Development Department (Jakim) today said the group of 25 eminent Malays, comprising former senior civil servants, has declined to meet the religious body on Monday.

According to Jakim, the purpose of the meeting is to discuss issues raised by the former civil servants in their open letter.

However, Jakim in a brief statement today said the 25 eminent Malays have stated they have no plans to meet up with any government department, including Jakim.

It was reported earlier this week that the group had written an open letter calling on Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to show leadership in the wake of intolerant voices from rightwing groups such as Isma and Perkasa.

The former top civil servants, comprising judges, ambassadors and scholars, said in the joint letter that it was time for the moderate Malays to speak out against extremists.