Non-Muslims need unit to monitor insults too, says interfaith group

Noel Achariam Noel Achariam Updated 7 years ago · Published on 8 Mar 2019 11:00AM · 6 Comments

There have been attacks against churches in Malaysia but few arrests, leading some to question if the state is really interested to protect other religions. – The Malaysian Insight pic by David ST Loh, March 8, 2019.

PUTRAJAYA must grant non-Muslims similar protection, as it does for Islam, from attacks and insults on social media or any platform that could cause disharmony, said the country’s leading interfaith group.

Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) president R.S. Mohan Shan there should be a unit similar to the government’s special outfit to monitor offensive content on Islam.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa announced the special unit yesterday, which is supervised by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim).

Mohan said such a unit for non-Muslim religions is crucial because little action is taken against Muslims who insulted other faiths.

“If they insult Islam, immediate action is taken, what about for non-Muslims who get insulted?

“If they (Jakim) are going to take action and report the insults to the police, then we also must be able to do the same. 

“We want all to be fair. Even if a Hindu insults a Muslim, we also will report it,” Mohan told The Malaysian Insight.

He also suggested that the special unit work with the council to check if any insult allegedly by non-Muslims is genuine or not.

MCCBCHST, he said, could act as a reference body for such verification.

“There are also a lot of Islamic groups and other religions insulting other faiths. We can help to confirm what is an insult and what is not. We can give advice or be a reference body.”

Hindu devotees carrying milk pots during Thaipusam. Malaysia is a multicultural country but non-Muslims complain that little action is taken against Muslims who insulted other faiths. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, March 8, 2019.

Mohan was responding to Mujahid’s announcement on the new unit set up following recent cases of social media postings which allegedly insulted Islam and Prophet Muhammad.

The unit is to receive complaints and then to lodge reports immediately with police and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.

The public may report such insults at [email protected] or by sending a WhatsApp message to 010-300 52 60.

Mohan said the council would call for a meeting with the heads of other religious bodies to discuss the new unit.

“We want to collaborate with the National Unity Department over the matter as we don’t have the capacity or funding like Jakim.”

More than 900 police reports have been lodged nationwide on various cases involving insults made against Islam, Prophet Muhammad and his wife Aisha.

Police have opened 16 investigation papers.

Mujahid has also come under fire in recent weeks for allegedly not doing enough to defend Islam in the face of recent insults.

On Wednesday, the police arrested a 43-year-old man for insulting Islam and the prophet on Twitter.

Last week, a 29-year-old suspect was detained in Labuan and remanded, while another 22-year-old suspect was detained in Bau, Sarawak. – March 8, 2019.

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Comments

  • More so when the other religions are minority.

    Posted 7 years ago by Awang Bilis · Reply

  • Mujahid is only concerned about insults on Muslims, the Prophet and Islam. Why else is he promoting the new unit which does not cater for other faiths. Perhaps the National Unity Minister should work hard to table legislation to prevent insults on other religions too. It is hoped that Waytha will awaken from his slumber.

    Posted 7 years ago by Panchen Low · Reply

  • Hey! I thought that the newly elected govt is fair to all regardless of religion and race? That's ehy v voted u guys in. Why r all the other non-malay ministers keeping quiet about this? V r not asking u to say something negative but, at least, raise your concerns on this particular issue. Islam is already the official religion in our country. Just b'cos PH lost cameron n semenyih does not mean u have to set up a special unit to monitor the abuse. What about us non muslims? V have our own beliefs n our own religions n v r also sensitive when othets tslk bad about us n our religions.

    Posted 7 years ago by Richard Foo · Reply

  • Good try !! You think they will bother about it. !!!

    Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • Agreed with the comments listed above as it needs to covers all the religion here in Msia to be fair to all nevertheless on a side note over the last ten year or 20 for that matter has there been a comment made by Muslim on other religion over facebook insulting any of the numerous the gods and goddesses of the Chinese or any of the three Indian's gods. I could have missed it and welcome you to highlight it here. Religion is a sensitive issue any if anyone doesn't understand that I am sorry and when one crosses that line its inviting fire cause our mums used to say don't play with matches. Get me que!!

    Posted 7 years ago by Teruna Kelana · Reply

  • We constantly hear and read horrible comments made by those in PAS and UMNO about those of different race and faith and it amazes me that they just get away with it. I really believe that most Malaysians want to live in harmony and to thrive as a whole, but there are just these bad loudmouths who thrive on creating fear and insecurity amongst Muslims.

    Posted 7 years ago by Sunita petrus · Reply