THERE should be a more democratic approach to deal with constitutional law expert Professor Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi’s article in a local newspaper, which touched on the topic of religious radicalism, said the G25. 

The group of prominent retired Malay civil servants suggested an open forum for experts to challenge Dr Shad intellectually, instead of through a probe by the authorities. 

They also suggested for the panel discussion to be televised live so the viewers could decide whether his views were a threat to national security.

 “We should make it a practice to adopt the intellectual approach in dealing with differences of opinion as it makes the country look more mature and civilised as a moderate Muslim-majority country should,” the G25 said in a statement yesterday. 

On November 23, Dr Shad’s article “Religious radicalism on the rise” was published in local daily The Star, in response to a March 28 booklet by Malaysia Islamic Strategic Research Institute (IKSIM) that argued that “secularism, liberalism and cultural diversity are elements that will undermine the Islamic agenda and destroy the country’s sovereignty”.  

In his article, Dr Shad had said he was shocked to read that IKSIM viewed cultural diversity as a threat to Islam and to the country.

The prominent law professor confirmed that a police report had been lodged by IKSIM over his article.

The G25 said the investigation “sets a dangerous precedent” that any discussion on religion and its place in the Constitution that differed from conventional belief would be considered radical and a threat to national peace and security by the authorities.

“Such an attitude by our law enforcement agencies will be counter-productive to Islam as it puts the religion in a bad light, implying that Islamic institutions are authoritarian. Not a good report card to have for a country that calls itself a democracy,” said the group.

“G25 recognises the fundamental rights of individuals and Islamic activists to advocate their beliefs of political Islam. They are also entitled to their freedom of speech. 

“However, when their views are extreme and damaging to racial harmony and peace, G25 would like to see government officials and leaders speak up by assuring the public that the government does not agree with such views as they are contrary to the intent and purpose of the Constitution and the Rukunegara, both designed to create the legal framework and national ideology of tolerance and respect for the diversity and differences among Malaysians.

“It is when government leaders keep silent and pretend not to hear that the public gets worried whether the government is using religion for its own politics,” added G25 in their statement. 

The police is investigating Dr Shad under Section 504 of the Penal Code, which deals with intentional insult to provoke a breach of the peace. – December 24, 2017.