Published on: Tuesday, August 22, 2006 |
Kuala Lumpur: The Government will not allow public discussions on issues that can arouse anger among the followers of different religions, the Dewan Rakyat was told Monday.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said discussions of such issues, including Article 11 of the Federal Constitution which guarantees the freedom of religion, had created controversy.
He said the controversy, if allowed to continue, would cause more harm than good and widen the divide between followers of different faiths.
"Although the Government allows Malaysians the freedom to discuss current issues, including giving constructive criticisms to the Government, it cannot extend the same freedom to issues that have a potential to arouse anger among the followers of different religions. That is the Government's stand," he said.
He was replying during question time to Datuk Dr Wan Hashim Wan Teh (BN-Gerik) who asked whether the Government guarantees that Article 11 and Article 121(1A) on the status of Syariah courts would not be amended and that public discussions on them be stopped.
Mohamed Nazri said the position of Islam as the country's official religion is guaranteed in the Constitution and no one must question it.
He said the Government would also not allow any action by any group that could jeopardise the right of Malaysians to practise their religion as guaranteed by Article 11.
Thus, the Government felt it was unnecessary to form a body to discuss religious matters such as the Article 11 group comprising non-governmental organisations or the proposed Inter-Faith Commission, he said.
"That is why the Government has ordered all groups to stop their religious discussions, forums or conferences immediately before the worrisome situation gets out of control," he said.
He warned the Government would not hesitate to act against anyone who did not abide by its directive and those who spread false news that could threaten harmony among the people.
Mohamed Nazri said all groups should accept sincerely the right of each Malaysian to practise his or her religion so as to maintain harmony among the multi-racial people.
"This includes the 'azan' (call to prayer) by mosques and suraus or the ringing of bells by other houses of worship. The sincere acceptance of these practices should go hand in hand with the awareness that issues of religion are very sensitive, even more sensitive than issues of race," he said.
Mohamed Nazri reiterated the Government's stand that Article 121(1A) would not be repealed or amended because the separation of jurisdictions of the civil and Syariah courts was clear.
At the same time, he said, any question of interpretation of Article 121(1A) that arose could be brought to the court according to the existing procedure to be decided based on the concept of "Rule of Law" in the country's legal system.- Bernama
