PETALING JAYA: The government will be meeting multifaith leaders to soothe non-Muslims’ concerns about the placement of Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (Jakim) officers in government departments, which these leaders had deemed possibly unconstitutional.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar confirmed that he will be meeting the leaders of the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) tomorrow.
“I look forward to meeting MCCBCHST as I hope that such an open discussion – face to face – would bring us closer to understanding one another better,” he said.
Mohd Na’im said the government is open to addressing any other related issue of concern to non-Muslims, but the focus tomorrow will be on the placement of Jakim officers, to which MCCBHST had objected on Sept 2.
He said National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang would also be attending the meeting, which was initially supposed to be on Sept 6 but was postponed.
MCCBCHST had voiced concerns that placing Jakim officers in government departments denoted Jakim’s involvement in the public sphere.
The council said this could be unconstitutional as it might infringe upon the rights guaranteed to all Malaysians.
While it supported Islam’s constitutional position as the religion of the federation, the council believed that enabling Jakim officers to vet government policies to ensure they aligned with Islamic principles might be overreach.
Mohd Na’im gave an assurance that he will uphold the constitutional rights of non-Muslims.
“While we at Jakim consistently uphold and safeguard Islam and its sanctity, in line with the recognition granted by the Federal Constitution which designates Islam as the religion of the Federation in Clause (1) of Article 3, at the same time, we believe that it is important for us to uphold and protect the constitutional rights guaranteed to all Malaysians, no matter what religion they profess.
“In the spirit of Malaysia Day, we must come together as one big family to iron out our differences and misconceptions by sitting down through muzakarah (discussions) so that we do not only live in harmony, but also understand one another,” he said.
“Islam is a religion of peace and we are encouraged to live peacefully and in harmony with all other religions.
“Malaysia is an example of a successful multireligious country, where interfaith dialogues are a must for all of us to live as one Malaysia,” he added.
MCCBHST president Tan Hoe Chieow said he looked forward to a fruitful discussion.
“What we want to bring to the table is the need for the government, especially Jakim, to be aware of the enshrined constitutional rights of non-Muslims and our concerns with Jakim’s involvement in the formulation of government policies to purportedly ensure they are aligned with Islamic principles.
“This encroachment into the public sphere may be unconstitutional as it may affect the fundamental rights guaranteed to all Malaysians,” he added.
Aaron Ago said that he would be present at the meeting as an observer.
“I will take into account the issues raised. If there are matters that I need to address, I will do so,” he said.
