An alleged Islamic Studies revision book for secondary school students purportedly rationalises the execution of those who leave Islam, according to lawyer and activist Siti Kasim.
Siti highlighted a passage from the revision book Focus SPM Pendidikan Islam Tingkatan 4 & 5 that lists the reasons that "orang murtad" (apostates) are sentenced to death.
Among these include warning people that Islam cannot be toyed with, preventing murtad from influencing other Muslims, and avoiding acts that degrade the faith.
"Since the news about wife beating came out, a Form 5 Student inboxed me and showed me this... Now, you tell me whether this is right or wrong?
"Please Maszlee Malik, you really need to look into the Agama Islam syllabus. This is horrendous!” Siti said on Facebook and Twitter, mentioning the education minister in both posts.
Siti's posting was a follow-up to her earlier post that called on Maszlee to explain an Islamic Studies question for Form Five students on permissible ways to “hit a disobedient wife," taken from a Sept/Oct 2018 model examination paper issued by the Selangor Education Department.
The question, which Malaysiakini has sighted, presents a flowchart with the title “Ways to hit a nusyuz (disobedient) wife”.
The chart states two such ways – “Not too overboard that it would cause injury” and “Not on sensitive areas,” and requires students to fill in the third permissible way.
In response, Maszlee thanked Siti for bringing the exam question to his attention.
"Thank you for your concerns and bringing this matter to my attention. I will take the necessary action to look into this matter," the minister said on Twitter.
FORM 5 PENDIDIKAN ISLAM
— Siti Kasim (@sitikasim) 22 September 2018
Since the news about wife beating came out, a Form 5 Student inbox me and showed me this.... Now, you tell me whether this is right or wrong?
Please Dr Maszlee… https://t.co/3lueDQMOEG