AL-HIZBUL ISLAMI (HIZBI)
UNITED KINGDOM & REPUBLIK IRELAND
Pejabat Presiden / Presidents Office
P.O. Box 7027, Loughborough, LE11 4ZE, United Kingdom
Tel: 0044 07050 265 409, Fax: 0044 07050 602 107

Press Statement
For immediate release.
Date: 18 March 2003

HIZBI is fully aware of the offensive statements made recently by Dato Noh Omar during his tour in the UK and Republic of Ireland. These statements recently appeared in some of the Malaysian media. We decided not to reply immediately as we wanted to carefully examine his statements and study the legal consequences of such libellous allegations.

We would like to correct Dato Noh Omar on his libellous allegations.

HIZBI was not set up by PAS as he claimed. HIZBI was founded by a group of students who realized that there was a gap that needed to be filled. At the time of our establishment, there were (and still are) various shortcomings facing Malaysian students in the UK, especially in the sense that no one was presenting to them Islam in its entirety. Thus, it was felt that there was an urgent need to set up a students society that can help increase students awareness of Islamic value and etiquettes in its entirety (syumul). Unlike some clubs, we were not set up to serve any political masters or purposes, and we are definitely not spying on other students like members of certain clubs. Rather we were established by students for the benefit of students.

Unlike some clubs, HIZBI maintains its independence so that it is free to provide objective opinions and constructive criticisms on any issues.

We also want to correct Dato Noh on his allegation that our existence was to carry out antigovernment activities. HIZBI has never organised any activities that can be classified as anti-government. Our programmes had been attended by many figures from academia, NGOs, and politicians from both the ruling coalition and the opposition. In fact, when HIZBI was spearheading a coalition of student organizations in the United Kingdom, we even had the Malaysian High Commissioner officially opening a major national event. HIZBI always welcome students of all backgrounds to its programmes. We never put any limitations unless for reasons such as fire and safety regulations (there is a regulation in the UK limiting the number of people that any hall or building can hold). Our recent Winter Gatherings was attended by some of Kelab UMNO members and leaders. However, we later realised that some of those who attended our recent programmes did so just for the purpose of gathering information in order to make false accusations against HIZBI. We deeply regret this behaviour.

HIZBIs invitations to various opposition leaders are part of our contribution towards building a better and democratic Malaysia. In a healthy democracy, it is important for citizens to be able to listen to all sides before making up their minds. It is recognised that members of Malaysian opposition parties are not given sufficient space to present their ideas to those living in the United Kingdom. HIZBI believes that this curb on the free flow of information and ideas is detrimental to the future development of a multiracial and truly democratic Malaysia. We believe it would be wrong to patronize Malaysian students in the UK by denying them the opportunity to listen to all views, be it from the government or outside of the government.

It is deeply regretted that HIZBIs efforts to assist in building a progressive and democratic Malaysia have been misconstrued. What is worse, neither Dato Noh nor his representatives tried to contact HIZBI to discuss this issue.

Nonetheless, we know that we have not done anything wrong. HIZBI believes that all the allegations and threats are politically motivated actions with foul intentions. It has also come to our attention that several students have had their scholarships revoked, allegedly because they were involved with HIZBI, and partly resulting from reports sent by members and former members of a certain club.

The sponsoring bodies must be fair and just in their actions. If they were to take actions on those involved in political activities, then they should act on the members of Kelab UMNO. Kelab UMNO sends representatives to the Perhimpunan Agung UMNO almost every year. They are treated as if they are a branch of UMNO, the political party. Some of them are even invited to speak at the Perhimpunan Agung. What can be more political than this? Is this not a clear evidence that Kelab UMNO is a political organization? Why the doublestandard?

HIZBI has never, and will never send official representatives to the AGM of any political parties. It is HIZBIs policy to work independent of Malaysian political parties so that we can give fair and objective opinions on any issues.

It is also hugely regrettable that Dato Noh and his colleagues chose to ignore the moral problems amongst Malaysian students in the UK. The number of sponsored students who ignore their religious duties, such as those who do not pray or fast during Ramadhan, are countless. There are some Muslim students of opposite sex living together without any marital or family relationship. There are groups of students organising events that can be considered as unbecoming of a Malay or Muslim. Why is Dato Noh choosing to keep mum on these matters? Why is he focusing his efforts in preventing students from honing their transferable skills in a respectable society like HIZBI? In short, we call upon Dato Noh and the sponsors to look carefully at the social decay amongst Malaysian students rather than focusing all efforts on killing Islamic student activisms.

Although HIZBI has deep reservations on the reasons behind the recent actions, HIZBI does take the developments seriously. However, we remain resolute to the opinion that there are political motivations behind these actions.

President's Office

HIZBI UK and Ireland

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Terbitan : 25 Mac 2003

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