Kassim: Not a crime to have different views
Kassim Ahmad seeks the intervention of the prime minister to withdraw accusations preferred against him for having a different view on Islam
Narinder Singh, Free Malaysia Today
Kassim Ahmad, the controversial scholar who was hauled up by the Federal Territories Islamic Department (Jawi) on March 26, will institute legal action against the authorities if the issue is not solved amicably.
Kassim, 80, was later charged in the Syariah High Court on March 27 in Putrajaya for voicing a different opinion on Islam and its practices after an hour and half of interrogation in the wee hours by a woman officer from Jawi in their office.
Kassim is being charged with denigrating Islam by making a statement to the effect that some Muslims idolise Prophet Muhammad and by stressing that Islam does not require women to cover their hair. He is also charged with citing two banned books written by him.
In an exclusive interview with FMT today, Kassim again asked, “Is it a crime to have a different view from the authorities in Islam in Malaysia?”
Kassim is seeking the intervention of Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Jamil Khir Baharom, who is also the de facto Religious Affairs Minister and Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir.
“I have asked the prime minister, Jamil Khir and Mukhriz to intervene and for the accusations to be withdrawn within an appropriate period. After such period, I will in consultation with my lawyer seek legal redress as deemed appropriate.”
He reiterated that Malaysia is on the “brink of anarchy” as there seems to be irrational racial and religious conflicts almost daily.
“For example, the the use of the term ‘Allah’ that is being made controversial by the various authorities is just nonsensical,” he said.
On whether he is mulling to write to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the pending issue, he said, “I have not yet thought about it but I might take that option if deemed necessary in the future. But as for now I have not yet written to the Agong.”
“For the moment, we have asked for a judicial review in the civil and syariah courts.”
