‘Restore religious freedom in Malaysia to 1963 status’
KUCHING: The Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS) has called upon the federal and Sarawak governments to restore religious freedom to the position in 1963 when Malaysia was formed in line with the Cobbold Commission Report, Inter- Governmental Committee ( IGC) Report, Malaysia Agreement 1963 ( MA63), and the Federal Constitution.
In a press statement issued by secretary- general Ambrose Linang yesterday, ACS said it welcomed the decision of the federal cabinet to restore the position of Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners under MA63.
However, ACS said it would be meaningless if religious freedom is not restored to the position prior to the formation of Malaysia as guaranteed by the IGC Report, MA63, and enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
“Whilst it is very important to restore and honour the rights of Sabah and Sarawak to oil and gas, territorial sea, autonomy over education, healthcare, taxation, and revenue under the IGC Report and MA63, we must not lose sight that the guarantee of religious freedom is the most fundamental of all the rights and liberties under MA63 and must be restored to its former position,” said the statement.
ACS pointed out that when Malaysia was formed in 1963, the leaders and citizens respected the religions and cultures of Malaysia’s multicultural society in the true spirit of the IGC report, MA63, and the Federal Constitution.
The statement quoted the country’s founding leader Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al- Haj, who said in a speech before the Legislative Council in 1957, “I would like to make it clear that this country is not an Islamic State as it is generally understood. We merely provided that Islam shall be the official religion of the state.”
ACS said before Malaysia was formed, Sabahans and Sarawakians were assured by the Cobbold Commission and the IGC in 1962 that despite Islam being the official religion of the new Federation of Malaysia, the country would remain secular and religious freedom would be guaranteed to all citizens, adding there is no state religion in Sarawak.
The statement said in the case of Malaya, the Reid Commission agreed in 1956 that the new Federation of Malaya would be secular and the people can profess and practice their own religions and, subject to state laws, to propagate their religions.
However, ACS noted religious freedom in Malaysia has eroded over the past 50 years to the extent that the country is regarded by some leaders as an Islamic state and the people are no longer able to freely profess and practice the religion of their choice.
ACS said a new law on apostasy that requires converts to undergo a trial in the Syariah Court if they do not repent after receiving counselling by the Islamic religious authorities was recently enacted without being discussed and approved by the State Legislative Assembly.
The association also noted that the federal government would set up a unit to monitor and take action against those who post remarks or materials that insult Islam on social or any media, but there was no mention of any monitoring and taking action against those who insult other religions.
It said it is deeply concerned with the recent court decision to sentence an unrepresented 22-year- old man from Singai, Bau, who reportedly suffers from mental illness, to 10 years’ imprisonment and fines despite his guilty plea to charges involving the uploading of materials on social media regarded as insulting Islam and Prophet Mohammad.
ACS said the object of the sentence should be to educate the young first- time offender having regard to his health condition, age, and guilty plea.
The association said it regretted to note that those who recently made offensive remarks that insult non-Muslims or their religions have not faced charges under the law.
“ACS appreciates and support the efforts made by the federal and state governments to preserve peace, unity and harmony among the people of Malaysia and the association does not approve or condone any acts or remarks that insult Islam or other religions,” said the statement.
It pointed out before the case in Singai, there were reports on social and other media that some senior politicians had made offensive and insulting remarks against non-Muslims.
“In an opinion piece entitled ‘ Rule of Law: Where is Allah?’, PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang stated that Muslims should place their trust in Muslim leaders even if he were cruel and warned Muslims that they would go to Hell if the country is led by non- Muslims leaders, even if he was the kindest,” said the statement.
The statement also pointed out during the recent Semenyih by- election, Umno leader Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz reportedly told a ceramah at Beranang that only Malays should hold important posts such as Attorney General, Chief Justice, and Minister of Finance and the oath of office taken by the current Attorney General, Chief Justice, and Finance Minister were not valid because they could not hold the Quran when they were sworn in.
Whilst it is very important to restore and honour the rights of Sabah and Sarawak to oil and gas, territorial sea, autonomy over education, healthcare, taxation, and revenue under the IGC Report and MA63, we must not lose sight that the guarantee of religious freedom is the most fundamental of all the rights and liberties under MA63 and must be restored to its former position. Association of Churches in Sarawak