About 50 representatives of Islamic NGOs today lodged a police report against ex-Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin for writing an article which they say is seditious.

The police report was lodged by Yayasan Sofa Negeri Sembilan deputy president Yusri Mohamad at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters at 11.30am.

According to him, a police report is also lodged against online news portal Malaysiakini for publishing the article titled 'Cabaran gerakan pembaharuan' (The challenge of the reformist movement) in its Malay section on Apr 4.

Yusri said, the article contained seditious elements which breached the 1948 Sedition Act and allegedly insults the religion of Islam and the institution of Malay rulers.

"In the article, (Asri) accused the Malay sultans at the time, as being under the thrall of the British and the Malay reformist having difficulties to engage with the rulers, except in Perlis," Yusri told reporters

NONE He also said that Asri ( left ) also alleged that the anti-reformist had an edge because they were willing to do whatever the palace wanted, especially in drafting prayers which adulates and praised the rulers.

   

"This shows, as if the Malay rulers and the palace rejected religious reforms because they were under the thumb of colonial masters and were being influenced by the accolades of the (anti-reformist) religious scholars," he said.

Yusri said that similar police reports have been lodged across the nation by other Islamic NGOs today.

Among NGOs who sent their representatives, were the Pertubuhan Kebajikan Al-Jamiatul Khairiah, Alumni Association of Kelang Islamic College (Alkis), Kesatuan Madrasah Islamiyah Malaysia (Itmam), Pertubuhan Muafakat Sejahtera Masyarakat Malaysia (Muafakat), Persatuan-persatuan Integrasi Muslim Selangor (Iman) dan Persatuan Sinar Damsyik (Persidam).

Meanwhile, a spokeperson from the Dang Wangi police station confirmed the receipt of the police report when contacted earlier today.

- Bernama