MEMBERS of parliament are urged to keep the human rights agenda in sight while focusing on freedom of religion, said Rev Dr Hermen Shastri. 

The Council of Churches Malaysia secretary said hope for a new start has risen in time with the change of government . 

“What we mean is that there is more accountability on the part of the government and effort to implement and safeguard the rights of all citizens in the constitution.

“We should talk less about race and religion and more about the wellbeing of all citizens to implement policies that will protect the rights of all Malaysians,” he said after a dialogue session on Asean Parliamentarians for Human Rights and Freedom of Religion. 

Hermen said the issues of religion should not be politicised by the opposition. 

“Especially in the context where there is a majority and a minority in the population.”

He said that while the Asean MPs had made a commendable effort to attend the event,  Asean has not seen much success in addressing issues of human rights.

“New efforts should be made to strengthen the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights, particularly in relation to human rights and the freedom of religion. 

“All forms of intolerance, discrimination or hatred based on beliefs should be eliminated,” he said. 

Among the lawmakers present at the dialogue were Saranda Bogujevci from Kosova, Halima Daud from Malawi, Liv Hernaes Kvanvig from Norway, and Lena Maryana and Maman Imanul Hid from Indonesia.

Asean Parliamentarians for Human Rights project officer Desi Hanara said the trip to Malaysia was a fact-finding mission as well as to explore opportunities for inclusiveness that have opened up under the new government. 

“We brought five MPs to meet religious leaders, parliamentarians, ministers and stakeholders to learn from them the situation here with a new government (in charge),” said Desi.

She said this was so that the Asean MPs would understand and be able to relate to one another.

“They will also share the good practices that they have experienced in their respective countries.

“That is the whole idea of the visit.” 

“To have the interaction with various stakeholders to address any issues and give suggestions,” she said. 

During their three-day visit, the delegation will meet Deputy Prime Minister Muhiyiddin Yassin, de facto Islamic Affairs Minister Mujahid Yusof Rawa, and National Unity and Social Wellbeing Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department P. Waytha Moorthy. – January 9, 2019.