AL-HIZBUL ISLAMI (HIZBI)

AL-HIZBUL ISLAMI (HIZBI)
UNITED KINGDOM & REPUBLIK IRELAND
Pejabat Presiden / President’s 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.

HIZBI’s 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 HIZBI’s 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 HIZBI’s 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