LIVID over the Government’s proposed Bill to curb development of non-Muslim religions, the Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS) lashed out at the former for being insensitive toward the minorities.
“Do we really need this? With COVID-19 causing people to be sick and jobless, this is your priority?
“While the Prime Minister is talking about ‘Keluarga Malaysia’, why do you need to cause anxiety and unease among non-Muslims? What is your agenda actually?” its president Datuk RS Mohan Shan queried, when contacted by FocusM.
Two days ago, Malaysiakini reported Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Ahmad Marzuk Shaary announcing that Putrajaya plans to draft four new Syariah laws, including the Control and Restriction on the Propagation of Non-Muslim Religions Bill.
The others are the Wakaf Bill, Mufti Bill and the Syariah Court Bill.
The PAS leader said several other legislations such as the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (Act 355) will be amended under a five-year plan (2020-2025).
The proposed Control and Restriction on the Propagation of Non-Muslim Religions Bill was mooted after the High Court in Kuala Lumpur ruled that non-Muslims can use the word “Allah”.
Upset over the matter, the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) called upon Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to explain the matter to the public.
“The MCCBCHST calls upon the Prime Minister to clarify the issue before causing further anxiety among our citizens,” it reportedly said.
Echoing MCCBCHST’s sentiments, Mohan Shan said the matter was not discussed with leaders of non-Muslim groups before being announced to the media.
He then urged the Government to get its act together by putting things into proper perspective, which is to protect the people’s wellbeing and promote peace in multiracial Malaysia.
“I call upon Ahmad Marzuk to study the Federal Constitution thoroughly, where the rights of all communities are protected.
“The deputy minister must listen to his own statement when he said that everyone has a role to play to ensure harmony and unity in the country, as laid out under the Federal Constitution,” Mohan Shan retorted.
Know your limits, Patriot tells Ahmad Marzuk
On a related matter, the National Patriot Association (Patriot) cautioned Ahmad Marzuk to not overstep his jurisdiction when making statements about Syariah laws, especially when it is still being deliberated.
“It looks like Ahmad Marzuk jumped the gun before understanding our Malay Rulers’ role when it comes to matters of the Islamic religion.
“By making the statement, the PAS leader is giving an impression that he is overzealous and insensitive to our nation’s multi-religious social fabric.
“Ahmad Marzuk needs to be reminded that he has overstepped his responsibilities because Islam comes under the purview of the Malay Rulers,” its president Datuk Mohd Arshad Raji said in a statement.
On that note, Arshad questioned the need to formulate such a law as the Federal Constitution have clearly indicated Islam’s role in the country while providing freedom to non-Muslims to practise their beliefs.
The armed forces veteran stressed that Islam was not under threat and the perception was only created and amplified by self-serving politicians.
“If Islam is indeed under threat, then it raises the question of what went wrong with our Islamic institutions in the country given that they are well-funded, with the monarchs playing their constitutional role in protecting the faith.
“Although Islam is recognised by Malaysians as the official religion of the state, it does not give anyone license to impose punitive restrictions on the religious practices of others,” Arshad quipped.
Throughout centuries and after Merdeka, the Rulers have never interfered in the practise of non-Muslim faiths in their respective states, he noted.
“Such tolerance and respect practised through the decades serves as the hallmark of our Rulers and therefore it must never be jeopardised for political mileage,” Arshad remarked. – Sept 9, 2021
