The Association of Muslim Lawyers (PPMM) has accepted Coalition of Malaysian Non-Government Organisation for the Universal Periodic Review’s (Comango) invitation to a dialogue over what it sees as affronts to the position of Islam in Malaysia.

“As a responsible civil society organisation, PPMM is willing to have a dialogue with Comango over its agenda which has cause Muslim ire.

“The dialogue must be on Comango's demands and its repercussions, and PPMM has already chosen seven of our members for this civil dialogue, which is actually encouraged in Islam,” PPMM chief Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar said.

However, Zainul Rijal ( left ) said the dialogue should be behind closed doors to “avoid it being manipulated or politicised”.

“This is a dialogue in search of truth, not publicity,” he said.

He added that PPMM has already studied Comango's demands as presented to the United Nations in the UPR process and stands by its belief that some of its demands can undermine Islam in Malaysia.

“Calling for universal values without due consideration for local cultures and religion is unacceptable in Malaysia, but this does not mean that human rights are rejected,” he said.

The invitation had been extended by Comango to all NGOs that criticised the coalition for allegedly undermining the status of Islam in the country and promoting unnatural sex.

It’s olive branch offer, however, was rejected by one of its biggest detractors, Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia, who instead urged Comango to repent.