Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak must immediately recant his earlier praise for militant group Islamic State Iraq and The Levant (ISIL) or risk being seen as ally to ISIL's self-declared caliph of the Muslim world.

Saying this in a statement, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng (left) said that the ISIL declaration means that Najib needs to do so urgently, beyond his earlier claim that the statement was “taken out of context”.

“The Prime Minister's Office has since clarified that Najib’s speech “in no way indicated any support for ISIL”, besides stressing that Malaysia classifies ISIL as a terrorist organisation and has arrested suspected ISIL members in the country.

“However, this explanation does not in any way absolve Najib of the fact that it was a grossly irresponsible statement to make, especially for a leader purporting to promote moderation through the Global Movement of Moderates,” he said.

'Will new minister speak out? '

Lim, who is also Penang chief minister, added that Najib must also speak out against ISIL as there are already Malaysians alleged to have joined the group.

“If he refuses to withdraw his remarks, Najib would be perceived to be tacitly condoning or indirectly encouraging terrorism by lauding the bravery of a militant group that uses suicide bombers to harm innocent civilians,” he said.

He also commended PAS for rejecting ISIL and urged the new ministers from MCA and Gerakan to speak on this at their first cabinet meeting tomorrow.

Najib (right) was reported to have urged Umno members to emulate ISIL's bravery in defending its cause against an enemy with greater resources.

Yesterday, ISIL declared Abu Bakar al-Baghdadi as caliph of the entire Muslim world and called on Muslims to pledge allegiance.

ISIL, also known by the Arabic translation of its name Islamic State Iraq and Sham (ISIS), has invaded parts of Iraq and Syria and reportedly committed mass killings of civilians.  

Sham refers to a geographical area also known as The Levant, which includes modern Syria.