Interfaith group demands PM reveal position on new shariah legislation

Updated 2 years ago · Published on 8 Sep 2021 5:04PM · 2 Comments

The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism says Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob must reassure non-Muslims about the issue of religious propagation, given that the deputy minister has not withdrawn his statement. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, September 8, 2021.

PRIME Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob must clarify if the government plans to restrict the propagation of non-Islamic religions by introducing new shariah legislation, an interfaith group said today.

The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) said Ismail must make a statement before it causes further anxiety.

“Every person has the fundamental right to practise and propagate their religion according to Article 3 of the Federal Constitution.

“In fact, the right of freedom of religion is so fundamental that it cannot be curtailed even during an emergency. This is provided for Article 150 (6A),” they said in a statement.

The statement was endorsed by Malaysian Gurdwaras Council (MGC) and MCCBCHST president Sardar Jagir Singh Arjan Singh, Dao Zhang Tan Hoe Chieow of the Federation of Taoist Associations Malaysia, Malaysia Hindu Sangam president R.S. Mohan Shan, Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) Archbishop Julian Leow Beng Kim and Malaysian Buddhist Association (MBA) Venerable Seet Lee Terk.

Earlier this week, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Ahmad Marzuk Shaary was reported to have said the government was in the middle of drafting four new shariah laws, including one to restrict the propagation of non-Islamic religions.

Marzuk had said the three other drafts were of the wakaf, mufti and shariah court bills.

However, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said there has been no such proposal.

He had said if a proposal was drafted, it would have to be brought to cabinet and get the agreement of all states.

The MCCBCHST said, while it welcomed Wan Junaidi’s response, it contradicted that of Marzuk.

“The deputy minister’s statement caused great anxiety among non-Muslims and thus Wan Junaidi’s comments helps to calm things down.

“Marzuk has not withdrawn his statement, so the MCCBCHST wishes to point out that there are many flaws in his statement and wishes to remind that Article 11 (1) of the Federal Constitution gives the right to every person “to profess and practise his religion”.

“MCCBCHST therefore wishes to remind Marzuk that the basic structure of the constitution will not allow for a theocratic Islamic state for Malaysia.” – September 8, 2021.

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Comments

  • In the light of what is happening in Afghanistan and the world refugees problem made up of mainly Muslims going into non Muslim majority countries, I hope we in Malaysia will not do anything that will upset Islam's existence in the eyes of the world community. There are pockets of Muslims in many countries.

    Posted 2 years ago by Citizen Pencen · Reply

  • Talking tough on non-Muslim rights is a vote winner and the majority of Malay Muslims will be supportive. Expect this issue to be squeezed to the maximum for selfish reasons. Nothing substantial will be changed though since most of the proposals will fall in the court of law.

    Posted 2 years ago by Simple Sulaiman · Reply