KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 16 — Wanita MCA said today that the man who reportedly threatened to break into G25 spokesman Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin’s house and sexually assault her should be hauled to court and charged.

In a statement, Wanita MCA chairman Datuk Heng Seai Kie said such a threat is a crime under the Penal Code and should not be treated lightly.

"It is not just an insult to Noor Farida, but it is also demeaning to women folk everywhere.

"These sort of threats made by the so-called 'defenders of Islam' have also insulted their religion, as Islam is a religion which greatly respects a woman’s dignity.

"Would the same threats be made by these bigots if Noor Farida was a man instead?" she asked.

Last week, Animal Action Group president Sharul Nizam Ab Rahim wrote on Facebook that he planned to break into Noor Farida's home and rape her, following G25's call to review Shariah laws, including those on khalwat.

He accused Noor Farida of disrespecting Islam and claimed that the call by G25 would anger many Muslims.

Heng said today there was no harm in anyone disagreeing with the views of another but differences of opinions should not involve criminal threats.

"As such, I strongly urge the police and relevant authorities to take action against Shahrul Nizam, and to make an example out of him," she said.

Following reports of Shahrul Nizam's rape threat, Penang Wanita DAP members lodged a police report on the matter.

Noor Farida had told a recent press conference after a G25 forum titled “Islam in a Constitutional Democracy” that the group, which comprises Malay senior retired civil servants, was setting up a consultative committee to review unconstitutional state Shariah enactments and laws that violate personal privacy, such as khalwat laws, and to recommend repeal or amendment.

She said G25 was against criminalising "personal sins" and that intruding a person's privacy is not Islamic.

Noor Farida’s remarks were later criticised by conservative Malay-Muslim groups such as Perkasa and Isma as well as Perak Mufti Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria, who accused G25 of having “very weak” religious knowledge.