Outspoken religious scholar Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin has lent his weight to public outrage over the lewd politics that has dominated public space and called for a “large gathering” to express the rakyat’s hatred against all forms of “dirty” politics.

In a statement today, the former mufti of Perlis said all quarters should object to the culture of character assassination predominant in politics, and for the sake of human dignity and civilisation to demand a stop to it.

NONE “All politicians, regardless of which party they belong to, should end the practice of revealing the character flaws of their enemies when these do not amount to injustice against the people,” said Asri.

“Such practices are dirty and digusting. Everyone, whether they are in Umno, PKR, PAS, DAP or other party, should end it now.

“It is sinful and digusting, whether it is in the form of slander or revealing the flaws of other people.

“The public exposure of others’ flaws does not indicate the strength of one’s mind. On the other hand, it merely exploits the weaknesses of other people or victimises them,” he added.

azlan Asri’s remarks come on the heels of a week full of slander and sleaze after a former Malacca chief minister, a businessman and a member of a Malay-rights group screened, at a luxury hotel in Kuala Lumpur a pornographic video that they alleged was of a top opposition politician.

Occurring on the same day as the dissolution of the Sarawak state legislative assembly on Monday, the demands of the ‘Datuk T’, as the trio called themselves, were that Anwar Ibrahim - whom they claimed was the man recorded in the video having sex with an unidentified woman - step down as de facto leader of PKR.

The sex video and other related issues have since hogged the frontpages and headlines of national newspapers and online news websites and blogs.

In his statement today, Asri said all lewd acts, words and suggestions should be disallowed from being published.

“(Or else) it will have a negative effect on the values of the younger generations,” said Asri, calling for politicians to be “well-spoken and well-mannered”.

NONE “They should be free from elements that indicate lowly character and and sloppy mindset. They are examples for the rest of society. Being well-mannered does not, however, prevent one from being firm," he added.

Turning his sights on the media, Asri called on media organisations to be dignified rather than contribute or encourage the culture of lewd and dirty politics.

“Media that encourage fitnah (slander) or the screening of lewdness should be isolated by dignified society.”

Asri said politicians are needed who can bring the nation forward with clear and reasoned thinking for the good of the nation.

“Those who are devoid of ideas, charismatic leadership, ethics and manners should be kicked out of politics.”

The rakyat should rise against all forms of injustice and violations of rights regardless of religion, ethnicity or party,” he added.

NONE Meanwhile, the National Association of Muslims Students (PKPIM) called for qazaf (falsely accusing somebody extra-marital sex/adultery) to be classified as an offense in the Penal Code. 

In a statement, PKPIM president Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz ( left ) said charging somebody of having committed adultery or pre-marital sex is grievous as it destroys the esteem, dignity and reputation of the individual so accused.

Current political developments, however, would make it seem as a convenient way to to destroy a person's dignity and character, he added.

For these reasons, qazaf should be severely punished by placing it in the Penal Code so as to signify the seriousness of accusing somebody of adultery or extra-marital sex, said Faisal.