Inter faith groups against Bill restricting development of non-Muslim religions

Sep 11, 2021

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) welcomed the Law Minister’s report that no proposals were submitted to enact a law to restrict or control the development of non-Muslim religions, nor had the matter been brought to the cabinet, it said in a statement dated Sept 8.

This was in response to an earlier announcement by the deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), YB Ustaz Ahmad Marzuk Shaary, who said that the government was drafting four new Syariah laws, including a bill on the “Control and Restriction on the Propagation of Non-Muslim Religions’ Bill. Ahmad Marzuk has yet to withdraw his statement, and it caused great anxiety amongst non-Muslims.

MCCBCHST pointed out that there are many flaws in Ahmad Marzuk’s statement and wished to remind the public that Article 11 (1) of the Federal Constitution gives the right to every person: “to profess and practise his religion and, subject to clause (4), to propagate it”. This means that every person has the fundamental right to practise and propagate his religion, subject to clause (4), which provides that federal law may control or restrict the propagation of other religious doctrines to Muslims, that is: “… federal law may control or restrict the propagation of any religious doctrine or belief among persons professing the religion of Islam.”

Where there is no propagation of other religions doctrines or beliefs to Muslims, clause (4) does not apply. Where there is practise and propagation of non-Muslim religions amongst non-Muslim religions only, clause (4) has no application either.

The MCCBCHST also reminded the deputy minister that the basic structure of the Constitution does not allow for a Theocratic Islamic State for Malaysia.

Likewise, the Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS) also issued a statement on Sept 9 expressing their surprise at Ahmad Marzuk’s report that a Wakaf Bill, Mufti Bill, Syariah Court Bill were being planned.

ACS said that as Malaysians come together to celebrate their 58th Malaysia Day, it considered this or any future attempts to introduce Syariah bills affecting non-Muslim religions as directly contravening the very spirit of the formation of Malaysia – where Sarawak, Sabah and Malaya are equal partners.

Headed by the Archbishop of Kuching, Most Rev Dr Simoh Poh, ACS reiterates the stance of YAB Chief Minister of Sarawak, the Sarawak political leaders and Members of Parliament, UNIFOR, which has consistently rejected any introduction of laws which would undermine or destroy the harmony among races and communities in Sarawak and Malaysia.