PAS MP highlights the potential dangers of the Mufti bill

So called ‘liberal Muslims’ could be in danger while news of the draconian bill goes international

Ironically, it took a PAS MP to highlight the potential dangers of the Mufti bill on freedom of speech. Abdul Ghani Ahmad, the MP for Jerlun in Kedah asked in parliament “So what will the government do to curb such liberal beliefs, such as those espoused by Siti (Kasim) who had openly insulted Islam?”, during the 2025 budget speech. Ghani accused ‘liberal’ Muslims of creating a dangerous trend through their interpretations of religious texts and espousing beliefs that in his opinion contradicted the basic tenet of Islam, how he sees them.

For Ghani, Muslims making house visits to neighbours of other ethnic groups during cultural festivals is deviant. Such practices in Malaysia have actually gone on for hundreds of years.

For many Muslims, the term ‘liberal Muslim’ is derogatory, inferring they are deviant to the true teachings of Islam. Others describe this as Nusantara Islam, which has been practiced for hundreds of years.

Siti Kasim and other activists could become targets of the Mufti Act.

The consequences of the Mufti Bill Ghani has brought up are serious to freedom of speech in Malaysia. Those who control the use of the Mufti Act (when it becomes law) can use it to persecute their enemies. This means that those who criticize the government can be labelled as deviants and arrested. In addition, non-Muslim Malaysians who are deemed to harm Islam may find themselves also being subject to the Mufti Act.

The Mufti Bill is a potentially powerful weapon to eradicate critics of the government. The Multi Bill is now attracting international attention. An ABC Australia news segment can be viewed above.

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