The BN and Pakatan Rakyat governments are not helping to curb Islamic extremism in the enforcement of syariah laws, says spokesperson for the G25 Group of Moderate Malays, Noor Farida Ariffin.

A former Malaysian ambassador to the Netherlands, Noor Farida said the BN, especially Umno, was trying to outdo PAS in showing it is fighting for the “Islamic cause”.

Citing the use of the term ‘Allah’, which the nationalist party portrays as limited to Muslims as an example, she said Umno was using this issue to win the support of the Malays, especially those in the rural heartland.