Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin has come to the defence of those linked to terror group Jemaah Islamiah (JI).

“I think we should not be quick to label certain individuals as JI or Wahhabi. The latest cases on (former Perlis MB) Shahidan Kassim and (former Perlis mufti) Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, must be studied carefully,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

NONE Khairy ( right ), who is also Rembau MP, was referring to the recent allegations by a senior official in Jakim’s Institut Latihan Islam Malaysia (Ilim) that the duo, as well as current Perlis mufti Juanda Jaya, were Wahhabists.

Ilim deputy director Zamihan Mat Zin - in a special briefing on the JI threat - had also claimed that the militant organisation originated from Wahhabism, a puritanical hardline Islamic school of thought.

“One was a former MB, another a former Perlis mufti and the other a former Sarawakian deputy mufti (Juanda). They are not strange characters. They are people who have been in the religious and political establishment," said Khairy.

“If they can be muftis or MB, it’s impossible that they are suddenly a threat to national security. It doesn’t make sense,” he added.

Allegations nothing to do with Umno rumours

Khairy also dismissed the allegation that the Wahhabi allegations on Mohd Asri were connected to the widespread speculation that the vocal cleric would soon join Umno.

“This has nothing to do with Mohd Asri wanting to join Umno or not. This is a separate issue, we don’t even know if he wants to join. That’s just speculation.

“The issue here is that I don’t think it’s right for national security agencies to label parties as Wahhabi or JI. Of course, we respect security issues but they are not terrorists,” he said.

However, he lambasted claims by several Pakatan Rakyat lawmakers who are saying that the entire issue is a “ploy” and “an act of diversion”.

“I don’t agree with them. I don’t think we are trying to instill fear because we have to make sure our borders are secure and our country is secure.

“But at the same time, we can’t label people as terrorists. It’s not right,” he said.

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