On 16 Dec 2022, PH, BN, GPR, GRS and Warisan signed The Confidence Motion & Supply Bill of the Cooperation Agreement Among Coalitions in the Unity Government (Agreement) where all the parties that are signatories to the Agreement and are presently the ruling government, agreed to, amongst others:
1. Uphold, protect and defend the Federal Constitution.
2. Ensure that Islam remains the religion of the Federation.
3. Ensuring that the rights of non-Muslims to practice their religion or beliefs continue to be guaranteed as enshrined in Article 3(1) of the Federal constitution.
4. Commit to the government’s objectives including creating a just society and a democratic country guided by the principles of the Rukun Negara.
5. Champion the rights and power of the people and work to consolidate the political systems in accordance with the wishes and interests of the people.
Source: Bernama.
Unlike The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Transformation and Political Stability inked between the government and Pakatan Harapan in Sept 2021, which was also in line with the King’s decree for bipartisan cooperation between the government and the opposition in order to return political stability to Malaysia so as to steer our nation out of the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on our economy, this Agreement, for the first time has the government committed to upholding the Federal Constitution and Islam as the religion of the Federation and the ability of non-Muslims to practice their faiths freely. (https://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/591327)
One of our nation’s fundamental principles set out in Article 5 to 13 of the Federal Constitution is that all people – regardless of where they worship or what they believe – are entitled to equal protection and fair treatment under the law (Jac.gov/federal_constitution).
Unfortunately, these lofty ideals remain as it is - lofty.
Various groups of people in this country have faced discrimination, harassment, and violence simply because of their religious beliefs.
If everyone, both the government and the people, are serious about freedom of religion, all have a responsibility to speak up.
An attack on one person’s faith is an attack on the faith of each and every individual in this country, with no exceptions.
The people and the country has at times, voiced out diligently and persistently rejecting politics that seeks to manipulate prejudice or bias, and target people because of religion knowing well that none can afford to be silent and be bystanders to bigotry.
For a long time, silence by a perceived majority in this country permits the opportunists to hijack a view, which they will conveniently attribute to the majority, thus justifying the actions of those in power or authority and having control overviews.
Continued silence is taken by the majority after it mandates that view.
It is time for the government to show to the rakyat that they are truly protecting all faiths as set out in the Federal Constitution both in deeds and actions.
To improve the quality of life for every Malaysian, maybe the government should introduce a law designed to ease the fear that Islam is not threatened by other faiths while protecting everyone’s right to religious freedom, as guaranteed by the Constitution.
It includes the right to believe in whatever they choose to lay their faith in and the independence to practice their beliefs.
The law should include a ban on hate speech, which tear at the very core and prevent the country from benefitting and maximizing its diverse culture and enforced against radicals and not for them to walk free.
It is heartening to note that on 15 Dec 2022, the new Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek issued a stern warning that the government will not allow any sort of extremism and racism to infiltrate the country’s national education system (Malay Mail).
She stressed that the Education Ministry will take serious action and cooperate with the police to curb incidents of racism and extremism in schools.
She said that the ministry wants to ensure that the students grow up in an inclusive and healthy environment and the focus will be on prioritising moral development as the student’s core values, without compromise, and she will take serious steps and certainly cooperate with the police to curb the symptoms of racism and extremism from continuing to occur in schools (Malay Mail).
Admittedly, many people still lack the understanding of the diversity of religious practice in this country, which many a time leads to discrimination, harassment, and violence.
Yes, the articles in the Federal Constitution guarantee and offer freedom but then again despite the existence of such guarantees that prohibit religious discrimination, there remain significant gaps between the protections of the laws and the experiences of people in their daily lives.
Racial and religious harmony is vital for this country which is multi-racial and multi-religious.
Social media are often flooded with news of how certain groups of communities are confronted with discrimination and harassment and they do not know where to turn for support or assistance.
The rakyat in general is hoping the new government, in consultation with civil society and minority groups would develop a comprehensive policy and action plan on addressing intolerance, discrimination, and incitement to violence against Malaysians based on race and religion.
Especially with social media and the internet, the government also has the opportunity to engage with the various groups in the country through a variety of media.
Beyond enforcement solutions and policies, maybe the government can look at increasing dialogues, and community engagements to exchange ideas and share best practices so that every group truly talk to, listen to, and learn from one another hopefully, bringing the country to the ideals that are envisioned in the Federal Constitution where diversity is embraced, where respect is celebrated and where freedom is protected.
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