Following a spate of disturbing statements, the 194th Council of Rulers has decreed that Muslims must not denigrate their religion or each other, said parliamentary secretary in the Prime Minister's Department Noh Omar today.

Noh told the Dewan Rakyat that the council, which convened on July 4, decided that although opinions, writings and publications concerning Islam are encouraged, they should be done within limits.

"It must be done carefully and must not involve speeches, writings and publication that touch on the basic principles of Islam, which can disparage the purity of Islam, be it from the aspect of faith ( aqidah ), laws ( syariah ) or behaviour ( akhlak )

"Those who are involved in such negative matters should stop at once," he said during the question and answer session.

However, the parliamentary secretary did not outline the punishment for those who fail to adhere to the royal decree.

Noh was responding to a question from Badrul Hisham Abdul Aziz (BN-Hulu Langat) on the measures taken by the government to curb opposition parties from behaving like the authority in issuing religious edicts, making remarks like "Allah is a thug"; condoning insults and abusive language against others.

Controversial remark

Recently, PAS spiritual leader and Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Aziz Nik Mat attracted a hail of flak when he made references to God as a 'thug' ( samseng ) during a talk in the state.

A video clipping of the controversial statement was repeatedly aired on the state-owned RTM television station.

Nik Aziz was also quizzed by the police after several reports were lodged against him over the remark.

The PAS leader remains unrepentant, saying that his statement served to only describe the greatness of god.

Elaborating further, Noh said the council also ruled that Muslims must be "open, fair, slow to blame and always take a harmonious approach by discussion, research and review in order not to cause disrespect to one another".

He added that such an attitude will protect the credibility of a particular organisation and prevent it from deviating from the true teachings of Islam.

"Those who are responsible must take the necessary action and confront the issues that will disparage Islam by adhering to the present rules and regulations and approaches provided by Islam," he said.

However, Noh said the royal decree must be accepted and approved by the respective states before it can be implemented.