WHILE the “resurrection” of the proposed bill to restrict the propagation of non-Muslim religions has triggered a wave of opposition from Sabah leaders, it has not been the same case with their Sarawak counterparts.
For this, the state’s ruling coalition, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), has come under heavy fire for failing to speak up against the proposed bill.
They must instead be courageous and bold enough to protest against attempts by the federal government to introduce the Control and Restriction on the Propagation of Non-Muslim Religions Bill.
The state DAP and PKR lambasted GPS’ top leaders for not opposing the move.
Sarawak PKR information chief Abun Sui Anyit said the silence of GPS’ chiefs seemed to reflect their fear of PAS and Umno in Putrajaya.
“It is very frustrating to note that for the past few days, GPS’ top guns in Sarawak have not even protested against the bill being drafted now. Silence means consent, so are GPS leaders 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 the development of religions of non-Muslims is against the constitution. Non-Muslims have the freedom to practise their faith as long as they do not infringe on Muslims’.
“That right cannot be taken away,” said Sui, who is also a lawyer based in Miri.
Sui and Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen were the most vocal in their protest against the proposed law to restrict and control non-Muslims from spreading their faith.
Last week, Deputy Religious Affairs Minister Datuk Ahmad Marzuk Shaary said 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 any attempts by the federal government to enact laws that infringe on the rights of non-Muslims.
There are 31 Sarawak MPs in the Dewan Rakyat, with 18 of them from GPS expected to be the “people’s voice” at the national level.
But this has ceased to be the case, even when the party was part of the Barisan Nasional coalition.
The only exception was perhaps Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, president of the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP).
Tiong has spoken on numerous issues affecting Sarawak in his capacity as Bintulu MP.
The time has come for GPS, which consists of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu, Sarawak United Peoples’ Party, Parti Rakyat Sarawak and PDP, to stand up and fight for the people.
All eyes will be on the coalition when the Dewan Rakyat session begins tomorrow.
Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah is scheduled to officiate at the opening of the first meeting of the fourth session of the 14th Parliament tomorrow, the first under the government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. – The Vibes, September 12, 2021
Stephen Then is a reporter at The Vibes. He is based in Miri
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