KUALA LUMPUR – Putrajaya’s proposed contentious bill to prevent the propagation of non-Muslim beliefs to Muslims will only impact Muslims, Minister in Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Idris Ahmad told Dewan Rakyat today.
Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (Pasir Mas-PAS) in his supplementary question asked how the federal administration will counter the suspicion cast on the bill by non-Muslims who fear that they will be affected.
“The bill to prevent the doctrine or beliefs of non-Muslims to Muslims only affects Muslims. It won’t prevent the spread of religion among non-Muslims. They are free to spread their religion among non-Muslims,” said Idris.
Earlier, Idris said the bill is only applicable in the Federal Territories and will not impact the sovereignty of the other states, seeing that religion is under the purview of state governments.
When it was announced, it had received vehement opposition from non-Muslim groups that fear the bill would impact their lives.
Idris said the bill is expected to be presented at state level from October 12 to 14, along with another controversial bill – Shariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (Revised 1988) – to increase the criminal powers of shariah courts. – The Vibes, October 6, 2021
