Jaringan Melayu Malaysia (JMM) want Selangor Menteri Besar’s office chief of staff Khalid Jaafar to be arrested under security laws or the Sedition Act for a statement defending Shiites.

This follows the online circulation of a video recording of Khalid titled ‘Hak Orang Syiah Harus Di Pertahankan’ (The Rights of Shiites Must Be Defended).

JMM’s Federal Territories chief Faizan Mohd Nor said Khalid’s statements in the video endangers national safety and causes confusion among Muslims.

“He is inciting the people to believe that existing laws goes against the desires of Malaysian liberals, unlike in the United States which allows freedom of religion, following whichever school of thought.

“We want stern action taken against Khalid, like that taken against (cult leader) Ayah Pin and other Shiites,” he stressed, when met at the Dang Wangi police station today.

The video, which JMM claims encourage deviant teachings in Islam, was first uploaded in 2013.

Petaling Jaya Utara Umno Youth division also lodged a report on the same matter this morning.

The Sunni denomination is the prevalent ideology in Malaysia. Other schools of thoughts are considered deviant.

Shiites have faced persecution in Malaysia, including being charged in court for owning books on Shiism and raids on their events.

Islamic affairs departments have previously raided events believed to be linked to Shiism, while the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission said i t will censor any website promoting Shiite beliefs.