Asri - Why is the government lying on JI and Wahabbism......

Current and former Perlis muftis Juanda Jaya and Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin have come out to blast the BN-led government for its “lies” and “slander” over claims of links between local religious figures and terror network Jemaah Islamiah. In a joint statement issued earlier today, Juanda and Asri attacked the federal government and the police for playing up issues of national security “for the interests of certain quarters.”

“What has been claimed by many parties, especially the opposition, that the issue of national security involving the threat of terrorists has been played up by the government appears to have strong foundations,” the religious scholars said.

In a briefing at a hotel in Sepang, Selangor, on Monday night, sources told Malaysiakini that Zamihan Mat Zin, a senior official with the government's Islamic Development Department (Jakim), had alleged Asri and Juanda to be linked with the puritan Wahhabi strain of Islamic thought. Other than Asri and Juanda, the other figures that Zamihan was said to have alleged were promoting Wahhabism included former menteri besar Shahidan Kassim and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

Even the Muslim-based activist group JIM was not exempted from Zamihan's tirade against Wahhabis. Apart from the movement's terrorist threat, participants at the briefing were said to have been told also by Zamihan that JI members subscribed to Wahhabism.

Claims 'extremely wicked'

Apart from the movement's terrorist threat, participants at the briefing were also told by Zamihan that JI members subscribed to Wahhabism. Juanda, a member of the National Fatwa Council and a visiting fellow at Oxford University, and Asri, who has gone back to lecturing at USM, described the claims as being “extremely wicked.”

“We strenuously deny these accusations and remind the rakyat that whichever government or political party that is willing to gamble on the issue of national security for the interests of certain quarters is a government that is irresponsible.

“A government that resorts to lies, plotting and smearing the character of individuals for its narrow interests, to violating the people's rights and manipulating issues of national security is very dangerous for the harmony of a country.

“At the same time, we call on all layers of the people to reject all forms of violence, whether it comes in the shape of (physical) action or thought. And we call upon, once again, for the people not to support any party gambles away the country's security for narrow interests.”

Citing Malaysiakini's report on the briefing, Asri and Juanda said "the rakyat knows our views, which are for an Islam that calls for being progressive, social and religious harmony, against fanaticism and every form of extremism."

"The issues that we bring forward capture the attention of people of all religions and ethnicity because they reflect an Islam that is tolerant and suitable for a pluralist society. This can be found in our writings and statements," they said.

“For this reason, Zamihan and the police must be responsible for this fitnah (slander), they added.

On claims that Hadi was connected to extremism, Juanda and Asri said that as a former menteri besar of Terengganu and current president of an established political party, Hadi and PAS “have long abided by the principles of the country's system of democracy."

That Shahidan - who is an Umno supreme council member - has also been implicated by his own party indicates “Umno and BN's willingness to kill their own friends in the gamble for political gain.”

JIM, similarly, had “made valuable contributions” to the country and should not be associated with the “disgusting” label of terrorism.

Juanda and Asri demanded that the police explain to the public the nature of their relationship with Zamihana (left), who works as a deputy director at Jakim's Institut Latihan Islam Malaysia.

“Who is this Zamihan for him to be used for this wicked agenda?” they asked.

“If the police do not dismiss Zamihan's claims, it means they are under the thumb of the Home Affairs Minister in purposely spreading baseless lies," they added. Zamihan could not be contacted despite repeated attempts by Malaysiakini to reach him.

'Irresponsible'

For the above reasons, Asri and Juanda said the claims by quarters such as Citizens International president SM Idris and Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim that the issue was merely a political ploy appear to have foundations.

“It may even be a large possibility that this is one of the ruling government's dirty political tactics to divert attention away from certain issues.

“With this, we deny strenuously the accusations and remind the rakyat that whichever government or political party that is willing to gamble on the issue of national security for the interests of certain quarters is a government that is irresponsible.

“A government that resorts to lies, plots and smearing the character of individuals for the sake of narrow interests, violates the people's rights and manipulates issues of the country's security is dangerous to a country that seeks harmony.

“At the same time, we call on all layers of the rakyat to reject all forms of violence, whether in deed or in thought... and not to support any party that gambles on the security of the country for the sake of parochial interests.

Baca, Asri,"Kerajaan bohong" di sini dan sini.

source:malaysiakini

The government lied about the Lingam Video Tape,PKFZ,Sime Darby,Teoh Beng Hock,Altantuya,Kugan, Amirulrashid,the economy,etc...etc....and they will keep on lying.......

cheers.