The decision to set up a special “24-hour hotline” by the government recently to address perceived insults to the country’s official religion Islam, despite criticism from some quarters, appears to be spot on - while some might even contend that it was long overdue!
In fact, the disturbing events surrounding the controversial Allah-inscribed socks found displayed at KK Mart followed by the case involving the Vent’s shoes design and also the controversial prayer mat wrongly labelled in a Johor supermarket are all ample reasons why a dedicated hotline is needed so that ordinary people can “directly” report to the authorities.
Moreover, apart from the obvious reason to protect the sanctity of the religion it will also ensure that unscrupulous personalities with their own selfish agenda do not take to social media and make such sensitive incidents “go viral” and in the process provoke ill-feelings and create division among the races in the country.
There is no doubt this can be very dangerous and may result in serious ramifications to race relations here which already appears to be at its lowest ebb - probably since the May 13 bloodbath back in 1969.
Even then it was limited to certain locations only as it was mainly politically motivated; however, the distrust and open resentment seen these days, no thanks to social media, seems to be more palpable and can be felt literally everywhere - office, schools, housing estates, restaurants, public spaces, you name it!
For context, last Thursday (May 2) religious affairs minister Na’im Mokhtar had announced that the Islamic development department (Jakim) has opened a 24-hour hotline to receive complaints of people insulting Islam, especially on social media platforms.
He added that Jakim will manage the hotline together with state religious departments, the federal territories religious department, the police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
Furthermore, according to Na’im, Jakim will work with MCMC to take down content from social media platforms, especially that which threatens public order and that any party found to be insulting Islam will then be brought to court as a deterrent to others.
Indeed, perceived insults against Islam especially on social media seemed to have become a bane to social harmony in this country and the setting up of this hotline will ensure that sensitive problems can be “nipped in the bud” before they are sensationalised by over-zealous parties who may wish to project themselves as champions of the religion.
However, since there is now a dedicated hotline to lodge complaints, isn't it only proper the government also consider banning the “sharing” of all provocative texts and sensitive images that insults Islam on social media (TikTok, Instagram, X, Facebook etc) as it can be construed as “incitement?” If not, what's the whole point of rolling out the new 24-hour hotline?
In fact, knowing human nature, without such a ban, wouldn’t people continue to “share” cases that involve alleged insults to Islam on social media as was seen with the KK Mart socks issue which blew up and ended up seriously threatening the peace and order in the country?
Having said that, concerned non-Muslims including prominent leaders such as Tuaran MP Wilfred Madius Tangau have also pointed out that while insults to Islam, which is the majority religion in the country, has to be stemmed for security reasons, shouldn't the same also apply to insults to other religions here as they too are all protected by the Federal Constitution?
In fact, some may even argue that being minorities in the country, their religion(s) may be more prone to insults, and as it is, the only available avenue is the police and if they manage to get through that, then there is the courts.
For the record, in December 2023, the Malay Mail had reported that two Hindu men had lodged police reports against two Muslim preachers between 2018 and 2019 for allegedly insulting Hindus via Facebook postings and YouTube videos; however, it was alleged that despite numerous police reports, the attorney general failed to institute criminal charges against the duo.
According to the report they had also sought a mandamus order to compel the attorney general to institute criminal proceedings against the duo; however, it was later reported that the prosecution had informed the magistrates’ court that the police had classified the police reports against them as "no further action” (NFA).
If anything, this merely underscores the immense “challenges” faced by non-Muslims who have limited channels to voice their grievances; after all, just like Muslims whose sensitivities are hurt when their religion is insulted by someone’s words or action, don’t non-Muslims, as human beings, also suffer the same kind of hurt when their religion is slighted or made fun of by others?
“In fact, shouldn't “belittling” other religions under the guise of “comparative religion” also be banned in a multiracial, multi-religious country such as Malaysia?”
Anyway, having made the right decision to set up the hotline under Jakim, isn’t it time for PM Anwar Ibrahim and his cabinet ministers - whom we can safely presume represent the different religions practiced here - to replicate a similar set-up, probably under the jurisdiction of the communications minister, MCMC and the police?
Surely, this is the least PM Anwar can do to repay the “overwhelming support" shown to him by most non-Muslims, many of whom are already feeling hopeless and disheartened by events unfolding in the country.
Information Source: FMT, Scoop and The Malay Mail
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