G25: The Global Movement of Moderates has not been moderate under its PAS head

PETALING JAYA: The Global Movement of Moderates Foundation (GMMF) should be disbanded if the new government is serious about pursuing moderation at an international level, G25 said.

The pro-moderation group was commenting on the impending removal of GMMF executive chairman and CEO Datuk Dr Nasharudin Mat Isa (pic), who is from PAS.

The G25 said that GMMF had failed to fulfil its role of combating extremism and intolerance under Nasharudin's leadership.

G25 said former PAS deputy president Datuk Dr Nasharudin Mat Isa should have never been appointed to head the foundation.

It said GMMF was supposed to be a foundation leading Malaysia's pursuit of moderation at the international level yet Nasharudin failed to voice out against alleged abuses and intolerance that happened under the previous Barisan Nasional government.

"However, it (he) was well known to lean on the support of conservative groups, including Jakim and other religious authorities, who practised exclusivity and intolerance, a clear contradiction of the official policy of moderation," it said.

For example, it cited the detention of Mustafa Akyol, a well known Islamic scholar who is recognised as one of the leading voices of moderate and democratic Islam in the West.

"Another example of this intolerance was the banning of the G25 book 'Breaking the Silence' which is about promoting moderation in Islam and the harmonisation of Islamic Laws and the Federal Constitution," it added.

"Amidst all these ugly repressions, the GMMF has proved itself to be totally ineffective in living up to its name. It is best, therefore, this institution be abolished to avoid wastage of public funds," G25 said.

It said the pursuit of moderation at the international level can be taken over by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and be aided by civil society organisations, academicians and other relevant parties.

It added that Nasharudin, a former PAS deputy president, should step down on his own accord instead of being asked to leave.

The Star on Sunday (July 1) reported that Nasharudin was expected to be removed in “a matter of time”.

GMMF, which was set up by former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, is said to be under scrutiny by the authorities.

Nasharudin was given the top post in 2015 after he played a key role in helping Najib forge a political alliance with PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang after the 2013 general election.

Nasharudin is also known to be a critic of G25 – the eminent group of Malay retired civil servants, who actively promote mode­ration.