KOTA KINABALU – The “resurrection” of the proposed bill to restrict the propagation of non-Muslim religions has triggered a wave of opposition from Sabah leaders.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor said the state does not have sectarian issues and that the federal government should respect religious freedoms provided in the federal constitution and Malaysia Agreement 1963.
In a statement, he added that the state will oppose attempts by the federal government to introduce the Control and Restriction on the Propagation of Non-Muslim Religions Bill.
“Sabah is a multicultural and religious state, and our people have been living in harmony with each other for a very, very long time. We are respectful of the beliefs and race of others and there are no sectarian problems here.”
Sabah Star president Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan expressed similar opposition in a statement while admitting it is too early to accuse the bill of infringing on religious freedom.
“It is too early to say whether this bill will violate the constitution, or more importantly for us in Sabah, the agreement carved on the Oath Stone, which guarantees freedom of religion here.
“I am concerned that this issue, which is completely unnecessary, will cause unprecedented discord among our people.”
Kitingan, who is also one of the deputy chief ministers, said while those advocating for the proposed bill may be justified, they should not be surprised if non-Muslims are already objecting to it.
He claimed that non-Muslims face difficulties in practising their religions due to various restrictions, such as the printing and publication of religious materials, and the holding of religious gatherings.
He said the status of Islam as the country’s official religion should not be at the expense of other religions or worse, persecute those who do not share the same beliefs.
Meanwhile, Sabah’s former assistant education and innovation minister Jennifer Lasimbang said PBS president and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili should get the details of the bill from his colleague Deputy Religious Affairs Minister Datuk Ahmad Marzuk Shaary.
“If the situation warrants it, Warisan and PBS will work together in opposing any attempt to control and restrict the propagation of non-Muslim religions in Malaysia, as freedom of religion is guaranteed and enshrined in the federal constitution.
“If Malay-based parties that have divergent and differing idealism in the likes of Bersatu, Umno and PAS can come to political arrangements such as Muafakat Nasional to cater to the needs of their respective support base, then why can’t Warisan and PBS work together on this issue that clearly relates to Sabah’s rights?
“In fact, Sabah has successfully thwarted several attempts to suppress freedom of religion in the state, which I assume include the right of propagation of non-Muslim religions,” said the Warisan assemblyman for Moyog in a statement.
Another Warisan leader said the previous Perikatan Nasional (PN) federal government was silent when asked about the bill in March.
The party’s treasurer-general Terrence Siambun had demanded an explanation from Sabah PN leaders when Marzuk announced the drafting of the proposed bill in March.
“It has been a good seven months since the proposed bill was first made public. There will be backlash from Sabah and Sarawak if the bill is perceived to be oppressive,” said Keningau Warisan deputy chief Basal Bullah in a statement.
Calls for more information do not stop there.
Penampang Act of Kindness Association chairman Batholomew Jingulam said the details of the bills should be made public so Sabahans can weigh in.
“Sabahans have the right to know the details and to immediately register their disapproval while the bill is still in the midst of being drafted.”
Sabah leaders also have the obligation to make immediate notifications to enable any remedial measures to be done during the drafting stage, he added.
Law Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar 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 on Wednesday 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 Marzuk 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 had said the proposals are part of the government’s plan to strengthen shariah law in Malaysia, especially the federal territories. – The Vibes, September 10, 2021
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