Shahidan also pointed out that the allegations of him backing the terrorist group did not come from the police.
“I don’t think the police will listen to this kind of advice. This person likes to judge others, there is no way police can accept his words,” he said.
“But I agree that the police must not compromise on national security. If there is any need to arrest please do so, but don’t get into labelling and judging others unnecessarily,” said Shahidan (picture).
It was reported that the deputy director of the Islamic training institute, ILIM Zamihan Mat Zin had accused Shahidan, PAS president Datuk Seri Hadi Awang and former Perlis Mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin and the current Mufti Dr Juanda Jaya of supporting Wahabism and JI at a briefing for government officials.
“Who is he? His background is questionable. Who is his mentor? Hassan al-Saqqaf. I will sue him for what he said,” said Shahidan referring to the Jordanian scholar whose teaching has been denounced by the Islamic authority, Jakim.
“He is following his mentor who likes to label others as ‘kafir’ (infidel),” he added.
“But I don’t want to debate with him. I am busy with my job, I am still an elected representative. I would rather spend my time with my job than to argue with someone whose knowledge on Islam is questionable,” he said.
Shahidan, however, refused to confirm if he is practicing Wahabism, which advocates purging Islam of practices that did not exist during the time of Prophet Muhammad.
“What is Wahabi? I don’t know anything about it. I’m not an ustaz, I’m a sportsman,” said Shahidan who is also the president of Malaysian Amateur Athletic Union (MAAU).
“But if you ask me, I’m following Imam Shafie, the original teachings of Imam Shafie,” he told The Malaysian Insider.
Meanwhile the Islamic missionary group, JIM also denied the group’s link with JI.
“Don’t simply accuse us without evidence. We want him to apologise for defaming us,” said JIM president Zaid Kamaruddin.
”His wild allegation is a threat to national security and it could cause unnecessary panic,” he told The Malaysian Insider.
He said the allegation of terrorist links has affected the group’s credibility.
“JIM has nothing to do with Wahabism or the Jemaah Islamiyah. Such an accusation has affected the credibility of this organisation,” said Zaid.
“I hope the people would not be deceived by the accusation which was aimed at tarnishing JIM’s good name,” he added.
In August last year JIM was accused of being an extremist Islamic group by DAP Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi.