Malay group G25 today stressed that it called for a review of syariah enactments to “protect the image and good name of Islam”.

The group came under fire for calling for a halt on khalwat (close proximity) raids and for a review of syariah law and its implementation, at a conference earlier this month.

“This is not an insult to Islam or the religious authorities in the country, but a way to ensure laws for Muslims are not condemned by the people.

“It is of the utmost importance to us that the image and good name of Islam is protected,” it said.

“As Muslims, the G25 upholds Islamic law as the highest order of justice because it is God’s law,” it said in a statement.

As such, it said, there is greater obligation for religious authorities to implement it in a just manner.

It also called for the monarchs to be more empowered in Islamic affairs, as provided for in the federal and state constitutions.

“We stress our commitment to encourage justice, mercy, compassion, forgiveness, equity and harmony in Islam, and the realisation of the objectives of the syariah and moderation as promoted in the Quran,” it said.

G25’s statement on khalwat has prompted a mufti to call for its abolition, and Muslim groups to condemn it for purportedly encouraging illicit sex.

The groups also say it goes against the Islamic notion of calling to righteousness and stopping wrongdoing.

Others like the Sisters in Islam, however, noted how the implementation of syariah enactment to allow khalwat raids is unjust, as it widely targets those from middle- to lower-income groups.

The group also cites Quranic verses which condemn the act of spying for the purpose of catching an individual in a compromising position.