MIRI – Sarawak PKR has criticised the top leaders of the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) state government for remaining silent on the purported federal move to enact legislation restricting and controlling the propagation of religions other than Islam.
State PKR information chief Abun Sui said the silence from GPS leaders in Sarawak is deafening at the least.
He told The Vibes that GPS’ silence seems to imply that they are afraid of PAS and Umno in Putrajaya.
“It is very frustrating to note that for the past few days, GPS chiefs in Sarawak have not even protested to Putrajaya on the bill being drafted now.
“Silence means consent, so are GPS leaders in Sarawak actually supporting the proposed bill? It is against the federal constitution to curtail the rights of non-Muslims to profess their religion.
“It is a shock to us Sarawakians that an official proposal is being drafted in this direction in Putrajaya. To control and restrict development of religions of non-Muslims is against the constitution.
“Non-Muslims have the freedom to practice their faith as long as they do not infringe on the rights of the Muslims.That right cannot be taken away.
“It is most alarming that a law is being proposed in this direction in Putrajaya, and yet GPS is not officially protesting,” he said.
Sui, a lawyer based in Miri, 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.
Sui said PKR will oppose attempts against the rights of non-Muslims.
Meanwhile, Selangau MP and Parti Sarawak Bersatu supreme council member Baru Bian also said it is alarming that an official proposal is being drafted in this direction in Putrajaya.
“To control and restrict the development of non-Muslim religions is against the federal constitution," he told reporters in Kuching yesterday.
On Tuesday, Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar shot down claims that the government is in the midst of enacting such legislation, saying the matter is nowhere close to being finalised.
The law minister told a press conference that the issue has not even been discussed in the cabinet, and noted that for any such bill to be tabled in Parliament, a consensus must be reached by all states.
This is because religious matters are under the jurisdiction of the respective states, he said. – The Vibes, September 7, 2021
