THE Malaysian government has rejected the proposal to establish a ministerial position dedicated to religious affairs for non-Muslims, according to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar stated that the suggestion was not accepted by the Cabinet and was regarded as the personal view of a Member of Parliament.
He explained that Malaysia already has a Minister of Religious Affairs, a Minister of Unity, and a Harmony Committee that represents all ethnic and religious groups in the country, which he believes sufficiently addresses the concerns of religious diversity.
“The existing channels are adequate to represent all groups. The appointment of a minister is at the discretion of the Prime Minister and is not part of current considerations,” Anwar told the media after performing Friday prayers at the As-Salam Mosque in Puchong Perdana.
The proposal was originally put forward by Chow Yu Hui, the Member of Parliament for Raub, who had suggested during his speech on the Royal Address in Parliament on Wednesday that the Ministry in the Prime Minister's Department for Religious Affairs should be divided into two separate portfolios: one for Islam and another for non-Islamic faiths.
Yu Hui argued that this division would strengthen national unity and ensure that no community feels marginalised.
However, the government remains firm in its stance that the current arrangements are sufficient for maintaining harmony and inclusivity among Malaysia's diverse population. – February 14, 2025
