The Registrar of Societies (ROS) has rejected an application from Gerakan Harapan Baru (GHB) to name its newly formed party as 'Progressive Islamic Party'.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said this was because Islam belonged to all Muslims and the use of its name for political parties could only cause confusion.

"They are hoping for PAS members, who do not agree with ulamas and take the approach Islam is progressive, to support the party.

"We cannot allow any party to use the name of the religion as Islam does not only belong to them but to all Muslims and for Muslims who do not have a party," he said.

He was speaking at the opening of Marang Umno divisional delegates meeting at the Marang district council hall today.

The ceremony was also attended by Terengganu Umno liaison committee chairperson and Menteri Besar Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman and Marang Umno division head A Latif Awang.

As Home Minister, Zahid said he did not want the mistake of the past to be repeated by allowing another political party to use ‘Islam’ as it had caused confusion among Muslims in the country.

"We do not want the past mistake of giving consent to a party using the name of Islam as it gives the perception that only by joining the party we are struggling for Islam and able go to heaven."

In this regard, he said the ROS would be sending GHB a letter to choose a new party name.

He said as a democratic country, the government had never prevented any group to set up new political parties in the country.

- Bernama