Muslim parliamentarians from both sides of the political divide have been urged to back an amendment to the federal constitution so that only Sunni followers are recognised as Muslims.

NONEUmno Youth Terengganu delegate Azizul Jasmi Mohamad said this is because the amendment will safeguard Islam from the "dangerous" influence of Shiites.

"If this motion is accepted today, I hope all PAS parliamentarians who are Muslim and all Muslim parliamentarians from PKR will support the constitutional change when it is tabled (in the Dewan Rakyat)," he said.

Debating the Youth chief's address, he also urged the government to take stern action against those who insult Islam and Prophet Muhammad.

"Umno Youth will support the government in defending against these enemies of Islam," he said at the wing's general assembly at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

A change to the federal constitution requires support from two-third of the House - or 148 of the 222 MPs.

NONEAzizul was backing Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin’s (right) proposal for the constitutional amendment.

Umno Youth deputy chief Khairul Azwan Harun also endorsed the call.
In his speech this morning, he urged the government to act against "deviant lifestyles”.

"Umno Youth urges the government to be strict in dealing with threats to the Islamic faith through deviant cultures which go against religious and values," Khairul Azwan said.

He listed these threats as religious pluralism, liberalism, extremism, deviant teachings and "certain groups" who threaten national stability.