Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (Abim) today lodged a police report against the Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) for demanding a repeal of the syariah criminal law.

Selangor Abim chief Mohd Zawawi Ahmad Mughni urged the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter as JAG's statement "clearly insults Islam".

abim police report against JAG 091009 "Their demands made on two different occasions, threaten the sovereignty of the sultans as heads of the Islamic religion. They also insulted the status of the syariah courts," he said.

He called on all Islamic non-governmental organisations to voice out their disapproval of JAG's demand.

"The public is confused over the matter. I hope that the Selangor mufti and all official bodies voice their views so that the public would not be grappling for answers," he said.

"JAG, Sisters-in-Islam and the Women's Aid Organisation (WAO) should respect the Syariah Court's decision to avoid confusion and dissension among Muslims.

Abim expressed concerned over JAG's memo 'Justice for Kartika', which it had sent on Aug 25 to the prime minister, urging the federal and state governments to abolish the syariah criminal law.

womens aid organisation pc censored anti rape campaign 130109 ivy josiah They claimed WAO director Ivy Josiah ( left ) repeated the call on Oct 1, to repeal the syariah criminal law, which is enforced in all states.

"We urged the federal and state governments to conduct a comprehensive review of all laws pertaining to syariah criminal offences with a view to repeal such laws," Josiah had said.

Mohd Zawawi suspected JAG of harbouring a hidden agenda. "They are so daring. It is as if someone is backing them," he said.

He said that the police have pledged to look into the matter.

"Currently, 11 police report have been made against JAG. We aim to file 20 more police reports by tomorrow," he said.

Seminar on Syariah law

He added that Abim is planning a seminar on Oct 22 to educate the public on the syariah law.

JAG comprises Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor, WAO, Sisters in Islam, All Women Action Society and Women's Centre for Change Penang.

wanita abim police report against JAG 091009 Social activist and lawyer Hazlina Abdul Razak, who spoke to reporters outside the police station, said the demand made by JAG are "seditious", "confrontational" and "provocative".

"Although everyone has the right to voice out their opinion, there are boundaries that must be respected. They should not make unreasonable demands," she said.

Besides urging the authorities to invoke the Sedition Act against JAG, Hazlina also called on the religious authorities to take action.

"We are asking the authorities to warn JAG against making such demands in future," she said.