PAS' assurance on proposed Syariah law lacks credibility due to "dismal record", says Guan Eng

Lim Guan Eng

13 Sept 2021

KUALA LUMPUR: DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng said PAS Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (religious affairs) Idris Ahmad assurances that the enactment of a bill to control the propagation of non-Muslim religions will not affect the freedom of religion enshrined in the Federal Constitution for non-Muslim lacks credibility and reliability.

He said this is due to PAS dismal record of outright hostility or failing to respect the non-Muslim community with its leaders wanting to curtail the constitutional rights of non-Muslims or diminish the participation of non-Muslims in everyday life or in the government, not just in matters of religion.

"Further Idris’ clarification that such a law would apply only to adherents of Islam and not other religions is not reflected by the title of the proposed enactment, which is offensive to non-Muslims.

"If the freedom of non-Muslims is respected and the Syariah law only applies to adherents of Islam, then the title of the enactment should not be the Control on the Propagation of non-Muslim Religions Bill," he said in s statement today.

Guan Eng asserted that the proposed Syariah enactment is unacceptable to many Malaysians even if it is applied only in the Federal Territory.

Many Muslims have rejected the proposal from PAS that appears to restrict the basic constitutional right of freedom of religion of non-Muslims, he added.

"Malaysia together with Sabah and Sarawak is a multi-cultural and multi-religious state, and our diverse community have lived in harmony and peace.

"This should not be taken for granted and put at risk by the dangerous policies of PAS Ministers that threaten national unity and religious harmony," he stated.

Hence, Guan Eng said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri should clarify that "this is not the intent of his government".

"Ismail should clearly and unequivocally reject PAS proposal, emanating from the extremist and sectarian politics of PAS because it is contrary and directly threatens his vision of Keluarga Malaysia."