Sapa leads call for special unit to monitor insults against non-Islamic religions

KUCHING: Sarawak Association for People Aspiration (Sapa) and six other local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are calling on the federal government and the Sarawak government to set up a special unit to monitor insults against non-Islamic religions.

Sapa MA63 Monitor coordinator Alim Mideh said while they commended the federal government’s initiative to set a special unit to monitor insults against Prophet Muhammad and Islam, a similar unit should also be set up to monitor insults against other religions.

He said since there are always ‘naughty sections’ in any community, such a unit would be necessary in a multiethnic, multi-cultural and multireligious nation like Malaysia.

“The setting up of a special unit to monitor insults against other religions is equally important for a sustainable harmonious society.

“We strongly believe that there has to be respect from all quarters on belief and cultural practices of one another and therefore we demand for the creation of such a unit as well,” he told a press conference here yesterday.

Other NGOs joining Sapa in making the call are Persatuan Adat Asal Dayak Bidoyoh, YATT Society Sarawak, Dayak Bukit Kelingkang, DRAF, Solidarity Anak Sarawak and Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (Sadia).

Alim said the decision was reached during their meeting on Sunday.

The federal government last week has set up a special unit to monitor insults against Prophet Muhammad and Islam.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mujahid Yusof Rawa, who is also in charge of religious affairs, said his ministry will not compromise on any acts that insult Prophet Muhammad and Islam, pointing out that the country has laws that should be meted out against those who are found guilty of such offences.

“The initiative to set up the unit supervised by the Islamic Affairs Department (Jakim) is to monitor any writing or provocation deemed insulting to the Prophet and Islam across all media platforms, including social media.

“I have instructed the unit to accept any complaints about insults directed towards Prophet Muhammad and Islam and to immediately report them to the police and the Communications and Multimedia Commission,” Mujahid said in a statement.