KELANTAN religious authorities’ goal to convert to Islam the state’s 16,000 Orang Asli is in violation of the federal constitution, said Pusat Komas.

The human rights group, in a statement today, urged the state Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (Maik) to retract its statement, and the state government to focus instead on Orang Asli’s healthcare, education and safety.

“This is the responsibility of the Kelantan government. If they fail to care for the Orang Asli, if they neglect the welfare of their own citizens, even non-Muslims, what is the point of calling the state ‘Serambi Mekah’ (Veranda of Mecca)?”

The group was responding to Maik’s announcement last week, as reported by Utusan Malaysia, that it aims to convert all Orang Asli in Kelantan in 30 years’ time.

Maik said it will collaborate with the Malaysian Islamic Development Department and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia on the conversion drive.

Pusat Komas said Maik’s proselytisation agenda goes against constitutional provisions that protect the rights of Malaysians to practise their own religion.

Article 11 grants all Malaysians religious freedom, subject to laws created to control or restrict the propagation of other religions to Muslims.

“It is clear that religious freedom is protected by the federal constitution. Maik should not have issued such a statement because all Malaysians uphold the constitution as the highest law of the land,” said the group.

“Every person has a right to their religious belief, and this should be respected. For those wishing to change their religion, this should come from the heart. We should never force people to change their religion.”

It added that government departments and public institutions should uphold religious freedom, and called on followers of mainstream religions not to look down on Orang Asli by calling them “pagans”.

“They have practised animism for thousands of years, and it is part of their identity as protectors of the earth because they depend on nature for their livelihood and well-being. They play a huge role in protecting forests’ flora and fauna.” – June 24, 2019.