KUCHING – The Global Human Rights Federation (GHRF) has called on the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) to act according to Malaysia’s stipulated laws in all alleged seditious cases involving religion in the country, and to not practice contradictory standards in different instances.
“There must not be double standards when dealing with seditious acts committed by Muslims and non-Muslims, where hefty punishments are accorded to non-Muslims charged with insulting Islam and little or no action is taken against Muslims who commit the same offence against non-Muslims,” said Peter John Jaban, vice-secretary of GHRF.
In a statement today, he cited the recent case of Wan Asshima Kamaruddin, against whom action was taken only after a civil suit was filed by three Sarawakians, namely Ben Diomedes, Bobby William, and Francis James.
Asshima had made divisive calls to desecrate churches and church property in Sarawak in her speeches.
The religious activist, who also goes by the name of Puteri Mujahidah Wan Asshima Kamaruddin, was issued a permanent injunction by the Kuching High Court on August 10 for acting unlawfully in inciting the public against Christians and people of other faiths.
Jaban said: “It is not surprising that Wan Asshima Kamaruddin chose to target Sarawak with her vitriolic statement, as it is the only non-Muslim majority state in Malaysia.
“In Sarawak, we respect our Christian population and allow them to follow their faith in peace and harmony as enshrined in Article 11 of the federal constitution, but sadly, this is not being practiced here in Malaysia,” he said.
He pointed out that 61 police reports were lodged against her 12-minute inflammatory video statement on March 11, 2021, where she called for the closure of all churches in a state in which she doesn’t even live.
“This has outraged the Christian community, as it has instigated and provoked the Muslim community to act against Christians.
“Thus, with all this, it has to take three citizens to file a private prosecution against her, but there has been no action from the AGC since March 2021.
He asked: “Why do NGOs or the concerned public need to raise such matters using their personal time and resources to bring up such cases when we have law enforcement agencies who supposedly act on the matter?”
“This private prosecution has taken more than a year, while the authorities stood idly by. “Why should Sarawakians continue to contribute to these public servants if we are not treated equally under the said system?”
Jaban also referred to the case of Alester Cogia from Singai, who was handed down a 10-year jail term and an RM50,000 fine for the offence of insulting Islam.
“This clearly shows a disparity in the treatment of non-Islamic religions and the minority rights here in Malaysia,” he said.
He said under similar circumstances, GHRF president S. Shashi Kumar had filed a private prosecution in December 2020 against two preachers who allegedly had been attacking non-Islamic religions in Malaysia.
The magistrates’ court dismissed the case, and the AGC requested it be struck out and not prolonged.
“An appeal has been filed to the high court, pending a date for hearing,” he said.
“This has sent the message that no justice will be sought in cases of insults or attacks against non-Islamic worshippers unless it is pursued privately,” Jaban added. – The Vibes, August 16, 2022
