Groups on both sides of the divide over the issue of apostasy have unanimously condemned a death threat circulating against Human Rights Society of Malaysia (Hakam) president Malik Imtiaz Sarwar.

Bar Council president Yeo Yang Poh said the death threat was "ridiculous, unbelievable," and "totally uncalled for".

"It is outrageous that in 2006 in Malaysia, people can issue death threats like this," he said when contacted today.

"We urge the police to trace the source of this death threat and take stern action, also against those people who spread such ridiculous threats."

Malik has borne the antagonism of many Muslim groups for his involvement in the Article 11 coalition, which is pressing for greater freedom for religion but is often accused of touching upon Muslim sensitivities.

He has also held watching brief for the Bar Council in the appeal of Malay Christian convert Lina Joy against the decision by the National Registration Department to refuse to delete the word 'Islam' from her identity card.

In one e-mail forwarded to malaysiakini, 'Wanted: Dead' was written in large typeface above a photograph of Malik, who is described as 'the traitor-lawyer' who is supporting the Lina Joy case.

"Spread (this) to our brothers so that they recognise this traitor. If he is found dead on the roadside, let him be. Do not help!" reads the message in Bahasa Malaysia.

The death threat, also circulated in the form of SMS (short messaging service), were highlighted during a press conference last Saturday by Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (Abim) president Yusri Mohamad.

Condemning the intimidation as violating both Islamic and national laws, Yusri said "the use of force, mockery, rude words and death threats" has no place in a civilised society.

'Don't tolerate threats'

The Muslim Professionals Forum, which together with Abim has opposed the Article 11 coalition, described the death threat as "totally unacceptable" and called for everyone to "observe the rule of law".

"We can't threaten to kill people just because we disagree with their views," said chairperson Dr Mazeni Alwi, who urged Malik to file a police report.

Sisters in Islam spokesperson Norhayati Kaprawi said she believed the death threat reflects the "lack of tolerance in the country for diversity of opinion".

"It is the right of everyone to participate in peaceful demonstrations, but once such (protests) escalate to the level of violence or antagonism, then it is an issue of concern," said Noryati, whose organisation is among the supporters of Joy and the Article 11 coalition.

Islamic group Jamaah Islah Malaysia president Zaid Kamaruddin said he regards the death threat "with grave concern".

"Even if somebody is just playing a prank, any threat to bodily harm or (destruction to) property or life is a serious matter, is uncalled for, and should not be tolerated," said Zaid, whose organisation was allegedly involved in disrupting a forum in Penang organised by Article 11.

He urged all parties that disagree with activists such as Malik to express their differences in a manner provided for by the Federal Constitution and other laws.

"If the death threat is designed to instill fear in or stop Malik from doing what he believes is a just cause, then the police should pursue an investigation. Whether Malik is doing this as a professional or personal (struggle), it is within his constitutional and democratic rights.

"We may disagree with his opinions, but we have to express our differences through constitutional and rational arguments. This is not the way that Islam tells us to express our differences. One should never resort to such a thing."

International Movement for a Just World president Dr Chandra Muzaffar said that, although the political culture in Malaysia is different from that of Egypt, the latter had seen such threats carried out and thus warranted caution in Malaysia.

"I don't think one can just laugh it off, because one can never know what fanatics or bigots would do," said Chandra citing the murder of Egyptian intellectual Farag Foda by the Gamaah Islamiyyah in 1992.

"I would regard the death threat as a refutation of all that Islam stands for....Whoever is responsible for this, although the person may think he or she is defending the faith, has actually only succeeded in denigrating or debasing the religion."