Muhyiddin calls for probe on Eric Paulsen over Friday sermon allegation

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has urged authorities to investigate Lawyers for Liberty executive director Eric Paulsen over his statement accusing the Malaysia Islamic Development Department (Jakim) of promoting extremism through the Friday sermons.

Muhyiddin, when asked to comment on Paulsen's remarks against Jakim on Twitter, said Paulsen's action must be dealt with appropriately.

"The relevant authorities should investigate Paulsen's statement and appropriate action be taken as many non-Muslims do not understand what Islam really is.

"Islam is not an extremist religion, (and) since when have our people (Malaysians) acted extraordinarily? Islam is the most moderate religion," he said.

Muhyiddin was speaking at a news conference after observing the first day of the 2015 school session at Sekolah Kebangsaan Cyberjaya and Sekolah Menengah Cyberjaya here today.

He said the allegation of Friday sermons being deviated should not come about at all as the sermons do not only revolve around the Islamic way of life but also societal and humanity issues.

"Perhaps Paulsen does not know this at all or has not learned about Islam," he said.

Paulsen had made the statement accusing Jakim of spreading extremism every Friday (through the sermons) on his Twitter page on Jan 9.

Following Paulsen's offending remarks, UMNO Youth today made a report against him at the Putrajaya district police headquarters, here.

The report was lodged by the movement's Religious Bureau chairman Azmir Yuzaimi Mohd Yunos, who said that police should take stern action against Paulsen as this was not the first time he had made a seditious statement on his Twitter page.

"He had many times before this made provocative remarks against Islam but after being criticised, the criticism just died like that.

"This time, we want real stern action taken against him so that he does not repeat his misdeed," he said.

Paulsen had removed his offending statement from his Twitter page after being slammed by various quarters.

However, last Saturday, Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar confirmed that police would investigate Paulsen under the Sedition Act 1948.