Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today said he had never labelled the Ikhwan al-Muslimun (Muslim Brotherhood) and world-renowned ulama Syeikh Dr Yusuf Al-Qardhawi as terrorists.

He said the movement should instead rid the international community's perception of it as an extremist group.

"I've never said that the Muslim Brotherhood is a terrorist group. I said they could participate in the elections on the condition that they reject violence or extremist ideology as the general impression is such (Muslim Brotherhod as terrorist group) and it's not my opinion," he said after attending a gathering with residents of Felda Jengka 25 in Temerloh today.

Najib was earlier asked by reporters on the call by PAS deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa and PKR advisor Anwar Ibrahim for him to retract his alleged accusations against the Muslim Brotherhood and Syeikh Dr Yusuf Al-Qardhawi.

The prime minister said the movement needed to respect the law and the democratic process, and must love peace.

"If it says that it does not subscribe to extremist ideology and want to participate (in the elections) according to the democratic process, Malaysia has no problem with that.

"Anyway, it's not my decision, but the countries concerned. I am not saying they (Muslim Brotherhood) are a terrorist or extremist group. The thing is, they must erase the perception of the world about them," he said.

Nasharudin and Anwar's statements came after a news report appeared on the National Review website which quoted Najib as saying during his recent visit to Istanbul that the Muslim Brotherhood was involved in violence and was an extremist group.

- Bernama