PUTRAJAYA – Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has shot down claims that the government is in the midst of enacting legislation to restrict and control the propagation of religions other than Islam, saying the matter is nowhere close to being finalised.
The law minister told a press conference today that the issue has not even been discussed in the cabinet, and noted that for any such bill to be tabled in Parliament, there must be a consensus reached by all states.
This is because religious matters are under the jurisdiction of the respective states, he said.
“Religious matters are state matters. If the federal government does it, it won’t be legally binding. We have to discuss with the stakeholders, namely the states, whether they agree or not.
“Sometimes, politicians ‘cakap ikut suka je’ (shoot their mouths off), but it is more about the question of implementation, whether the states agree.
“If they don’t agree, then the matter cannot be brought to Parliament or be carried out. Furthermore, it hasn’t even reached the cabinet. There are still many levels to go.”
He was commenting on a statement by Deputy Religious Affairs Minister Datuk Ahmad Marzuk Shaary that the government plans to draft a bill restricting the propagation of religions other than Islam, one of four new laws proposed by the Religious Affairs Department.
The other three are the Wakaf, Mufti and Shariah Court Bills.
The proposed Control and Restriction on the Propagation of Non-Muslim Religions Bill was raised after the Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled in March that non-Muslims are allowed to use the word “Allah”.
Marzuk has said the proposals are part of the government’s plan to strengthen shariah law in Malaysia, especially the Federal Territories.
Proposed bill ‘alarming and disturbing’
In a statement by the Global Human Rights Federation today, president S. Shashi Kumar said the proposed bill to control the propagation of religions other than Islam is alarming and disturbing, and will create uneasiness and tension in Malaysia’s multiracial society.
Citing Article 3(1) of the federal constitution, he said while Islam is the religion of the federation, other religions may be practised in peace and harmony.
The constitution also provides that there shall be no discrimination against citizens on the grounds of only religion, race, descent, place of birth or gender in any law, and that every person has the right to profess and practise their religion.
“The constitution does not provide any right for the government to legislate any form of control or impose any restrictions on the beliefs and practices of non-Muslims in Malaysia.
“I find it (Marzuk’s statement) to be totally against the fundamentals and tenets of our constitution, and it is bound to create disunity and disharmony among Malaysians. This seems to be an obvious attempt to create fear of non-Muslims.”
He expressed hope that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob will step in and ensure the well-being and rights of the rakyat of various ethnic groups and faiths are protected. – The Vibes, September 7, 2021
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