Malaysia’s silence on International Police (Interpol)’s arrest warrant against the International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) head Yusuf al-Qaradawi is disappointing, said PAS.

The scholar whose endorsement was much coveted by Pakatan and BN in the 13th general election is wanted for ties to Egypt’s banned movement Muslim Brotherhood.

"We regret the Malaysian government’s silence on this matter as (al-Qaradawi) is not an unknown figure in Malaysia," PAS information chief Mahfuz Omar said.

In fact, he said, the Egyptian scholar, 88, was also awarded the Tokoh Maal Hijrah by the Malaysian government in 2009.

"Wisma Putra should be proactive to defend this prominent figure who is now victimised," he said.

"Hasn’t the government claimed that it has international influence? We won’t lose anything by taking a stand on this matter."

Echoing him, NGO Rights Group said Putrajaya must support al-Qaradawi, as the scholar is a moderate Muslim who is vocal against extremists like the Islamic State.

"(Al-Qaradawi) is a prominent voice for democracy, who is working hard to form a democratic world in the middle east.

"The request (for his arrest and repatriation) by the cruel Egyptian regime must be condemned,” Rights Group chairperson and former PKR MP Yusmadi Yusuff (right) said.

"It is the responsibility of the world to defend his right to safety."

Qaradawi, who is also holds Qatari citizenship, is accused of “agreement, incitement and assistance to commit international murder, helping prisoners to escape, arson and theft”.

In the lead up to the 13 th general election, both PKR de-facto leader Anwar Ibrahim and Umno president Najib Abdul Razak claimed to receive endorsement by the much respected scholar.

Analysts saw this as a bid to garner support from the Malay ground.