After the Coalition of Malaysian NGOs’ (Comango) unflattering review of Malaysia’s human rights record at the United Nations in October, Islamist group Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) wants a crackdown against the coalition through a petition to the government.

Isma deputy president Aminuddin Yahaya said signatures for the campaign, dubbed ‘Sejuta Ummah Tolak Comango’ (A million Muslims against Comango), will be collected physically and online.

“The million signatures collected will be submitted to the government as proof that Comango’s claims are false, should be rejected, and stern action be taken against them,” he said in a statement today.

He said the petition will also be a signal to other countries in the United Nations to reject the demands of Comango, and urged Muslims to support the campaign.

Comango had at the UN human rights peer review process highlighted several shortcomings in Malaysia, including controversial topics such as discrimination against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT) community and the absence of freedom of religion for Muslims.

Isma said Comango’s demands were a challenge to Islam and the country’s constitution.

“Their action was evil and can threaten racial harmony of the people who have thus far lived in peace,” he said.

Isma said it has conducted a nationwide campaign to warn Muslims about the threat of Comango, with 15 ceramahs where some 80,000 flyers had been distributed to date.