Former Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin said today he will not be joining any political party for the time being, stressing that his loyalty was for the truth regardless of whether it is for or against any party, ethnicity or religion.

NONE In a mobile text message to Malaysiakini , the Penang-born religious scholar - who has been the subject of intense debate following rumours of his impending entry into Umno - said he respects, however, the decision of those who chose to carry out their struggles through political parties.

"I wish to stress to the people that until today, I have yet to join any political party," he said in the SMS.

"My support is for the truth and for facts, regardless of party lines, ethnicity or religion. That is the Islamic stand which is fair for all," he added.

"At the same time, I respect the efforts of all parties to carry out dakwah (call to good works) in any party," he said further.

Following a report on an Umno news portal, Asri was said to have been planning to hand in a membership application form on June 25 this month to Umno along with 100 other religious scholars.

young ulama join umno 250610 03 Yesterday before the start of the party's supreme council meeting at the Umno headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, however, only about 40 young 'ulama' presented their forms to Umno president Najib Abdul Razak.

Addressing Asri's absence, former Perlis menteri besar Shahidan Kassim ( above, seated on far right ) expressed hope that Asri may join the party later in the future.

"Asri will enter either group when the time comes," said Shahidan, who is known to be close to Asri.

The Umno supreme council member added that entry of young ulama into Umno was being done in stages and Asri's entry would be in the second stage.

Asri, however, said in his statement today that he does not want to say much in this matter "so as not to hurt the feelings of any of friends and other quarters."

"The important thing is that I am not joining any party, and do not plan to follow that path for the time being," Asri added.