Letter to Editor
THE Global Human Rights Federation (GHRF) which represents 62 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak alongside concerned Malaysians have delivered a memorandum urging Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to implement a bill on religious and racial hatred.
Efforts to preserve unity, harmony and peace in our beloved Malaysia which is populated by people of multiple races, religions and customs are now under threat as evident from several untoward incidents orchestrated by Islamic preachers and speakers who insult and condemn non-Islamic beliefs and religions, thus sparking disharmony and racial tension among Malaysians.
GHRF together with other NGOs have tried to file complaints and reports with the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) in relation to incidents of insulting, cursing and humiliating the status of non-Islamic religions and beliefs which are guaranteed by the Federal Constitution.
Although thousands of police reports have been made against them and the matter has been highlighted by online media which the government should be well aware of, there has been no proactive steps taken by the government to monitor, reprimand or deprive the preachers of their rights until now.
Such development has angered non-Muslim religious practitioners in this country.
We have previously brought this matter to the attention of the Prime Minister, the Home Affairs Ministers, the Attorney-General (AG) and also JAKIM (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia) who is responsible for Islamic affairs by submitting a memorandum together with certain documents and evidence.
Unfortunately, all our efforts did not have any impact when the authorities are considered partial or silent in implementing laws based on the Federal Constitution and Rukun Negara (National Principles).
We feel disappointed when only those who are convicted of insulting Islam are punished and imprisoned while those who insult the religion and beliefs of helpless minorities are openly allowed to enjoy legal immunity when Islam demands its disciples to be fair to all.
Controversial preachers or speakers such as Firdaus Wong Wai Hung, Zamri Vinoth Kalimuthu, Ahmad Iqram Mohd Nor, Ustaz Syakir Nasoha, Ustaz Idris Sulaiman, Ustaz Ridhuan Tee, Ustaz Wadi Annuar and many others who are against the Rukun Negara principles and the Federal Constitution continue to inflame racial issues which will disrupt racial harmony in the country.
As such, we who respect and have been upholding the Federal Constitution since the country’s independence hereby request action against individuals who continue to insult, condemn, manipulate and misinterpret non-Islamic beliefs to disrupt racial harmony that has been achieved on the basis of tolerance since the country’s independence. – Feb 18, 202
Shashi Kumar is president of Kuala Lumpur-based Global Human Rights Federation (GHRF), a NGO that fights matters concerning human rights violations towards minority groups.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
