Unbecoming of a Federal Minister: Teo
Published on: Saturday, November 25, 2017
Kota Kinabalu: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Datuk Seri Teo Chee Kang has described a statement by Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki that atheism contradicts both the Federal Constitution and Rukunegara as nonsensical and ignorant.He said atheism does not contradict the Federal Constitution and Rukunegara as freedom of religion is enshrined in the Federal Constitution.Besides, Teo said the Federal Constitution does not have any provisions against atheism.
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"It is clear that Asyraf has misinterpreted the Federal Constitution and it was unbecoming for a Federal Deputy Minister to make such statement," he said in a statement, Friday.Teo, who is also State Special Tasks Minister, urged the Federal Government to clarify Asyraf's remarks so as to prevent causing fear to the public and negative implications. "If the Kuala Lumpur chapter of Atheists Republic is proven to be an illegal organisation, or found to have derogated other religions, action can be taken against them under the Societies Act or Sedition Act. "However, to say that atheists contradict the Federal Constitution is utterly incomprehensible," he said.
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Teo said non-Muslims have the right to choose their own religions. "Being an atheist is not a crime in the eyes of the law so long as they do not interfere with other religions."
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He said certain individuals in Malaysia have been spending too much time stirring up religious issues. "Disputes on religious issues have increased considerably in recent years. This is a waste of resources and time that could be used on developing the country and society."Instead of harping on atheism, Asyraf should think about how to lower the crime rate, improve the economic climate, national income and issues that the people truly concern about," he said.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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