Wednesday July 26, 2006
PM: Discussions will raise tension
By SHAHANAAZ HABIB and IZATUN SHARI
KUALA LUMPUR: Article 11 forums to discuss inter-faith issues must stop immediately because they are deemed to cause tension in our multi-religious society, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.
The Prime Minister said the Umno supreme council had expressed its utmost concern over inter-faith issues that were being debated by Article 11, an umbrella body of 13 non-governmental organisations, through forums on Article 11 of the Federal Constitution.
“If the discussions are not kept in check or contained, they are bound to raise tension in our multi-religious society. Religious issues are even more sensitive than ethnic issues,” he told reporters after chairing the Umno supreme council meeting here yesterday.
Abdullah, who is the party president, said the Government had made the decision to urge all parties concerned to end discussions on the formation of the inter-faith commission (IFC).
“If possible such discussions should not be carried out at all. It has passed the stage where it is worrying all of us. The
FINALISING MATTERS: Abdullah getting ready to chair the Umno supreme council meeting in Kuala Lumpur Tuesday, as Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak looks on. On the Article 11 forum to discuss constitutional protection for all Malaysians which was held in Johor last Saturday, he said: “Those who continue with the activities are those who want the interfaith commission (IFC) to be formed.
“The Government has made the decision to put a stop to the discussions on the IFC. Why must they hold more such activities?”
He also called on the media to carry out its responsibility not to stir up anger and tension among the masses.
On May 14, an Article 11 forum was jointly organised with Aliran in Penang following the concerns raised by the cases of Nyonya Tahir, M. Moorthy and S. Shamala where conversion to Islam by one party led to difficulties for their non-Muslim family members.
The group had also held similar forums in Petaling Jaya, Malacca and Johor.
On another matter, he said the supreme council had been briefed on the projects rolled out under the 9th Malaysia Plan and Mentris Besar and Chief Ministers should be the chief implementers of the projects.
“Mentris Besar and Chief Ministers have been instructed to speed up the application process of land matters for the projects under the 9MP and ensure a fast-track service.”
Abdullah said the council also gave its strong support to the party's anti-drug bureau to intensify anti-drug programmes.
He said Putra Umno members would be roped in to ensure the success of the programmes.
Earlier, he launched an anti-drug campaign jointly organised by the bureau and Ford Malaysia to create awareness on the danger of drug abuse.
Known as the “Ford Anti-Drug Squad”, the campaigners would travel to 1,440 destinations nationwide for one year.
The Prime Minister also launched a website (www.birodadahumno.com) to invite corporate bodies and individuals to support the campaign.
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