Liberal beliefs, Jamil explained, included subscribing to pluralism, questioning the interpretation of the Quran and hadith (teachings and sayings of Prophet Muhammad), questioning the authenticity of the Quran and the practices of the prophets, among others.
“The government made its stance against liberalism clear in a 2006 declaration, during the 74th National Fatwa Council’s muzakarah (discussion),” he said in a written reply to Nik Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz (PAS-Pasir Mas).
Nik Abduh had asked the Prime Minister’s Department to state Putrajaya’s efforts to curb the rise of liberal Islam in the country.
Jamil, who is in charge of Islamic Affairs, also said the government, via the Malaysia Islamic Development Department (Jakim) would monitor liberal Muslims and may even consider censoring their publications, be it print or electronic media.
“Cooperation between religious authorities and security agencies would be increased to monitor deviant beliefs.”
Jamil also revealed that Jakim had been working with Islamic Affairs Departments nationwide to address the matter by issuing fatwas (religious edicts) to “control the spread of deviant beliefs”, as well as holding talks or seminars with liberal groups.