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SARAWAK's Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan said the latest proposed guidelines for Muslims participating in non-Muslim events by the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) shall not apply to Sarawak.
He said this is by virtue of the state’s constitution.
"One of the 18 Points in the Malaysia Agreement of 1963 (MA63), which is an integral part of the Federal Constitution (FC), guarantees Sarawak the freedom to practice religion.
"This includes the stipulation that Islam is not the official religion of the state.
“This is clearly stated in the MA63,” said the Balai Ringin assemblyman in a statement today.
Snowdan said one of the reasons that our fore founders made this as one of the ‘terms and conditions’ when forming Malaysia then was their prior contention and understanding that Sarawak populace structure is made of diverse races, beliefs, cultures, customs, practices and religions.
He said the forefathers were aware of the importance of preserving this diversity when forming the nation.
“They must have been pre-emptive of what’s forthcoming. Sarawak will not be bound by Jakim’s guidelines," he said.
He stressed that the guidelines which addresses Muslim participation in non-Muslim religious celebrations, funeral rites, and other activities that “may offend” or “mock” Islamic beliefs will not be enforced in Sarawak.
“We have no issue with the phrase ‘may offend’. Even if you do feel offended, then simply don’t listen. One’s faith is always embedded within," he added.
Sarawak United Peoples Party (SUPP) secretary general Datuk Sebastian Ting meanwhile the state cannot allow itself to be dictated by any rules or guidelines governing how Muslims and non-Muslims interact in any joint events.
“This state is a secular state without any official religion.
“Any move to impose any such rule as has been proposed recently by a federal minister is not applicable to Sarawak,” he said.
"We do not welcome any such rule that dictates how Muslim and non-Muslims can interact in joint events," he said.
He stressed is a secular state as spelled out in the State Constitution and there is no official religion in the state.
"Any such rule is a direct violation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and SUPP will object to the introduction of any such rule in Sarawak.
"We do not agree that any such rule be imposed by the Federal Government either and it would divide Muslims and non-Muslims and harm racial and religious unity and harmony," Ting who is state assemblyman for Piasau said in a statement.
He is also deputy state minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts.
SUPP is a component of the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak state government.
The other GPS component parties are Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu, Parti Rakyat Sarawak and Progressive Democratic Party.
Meanwhile, Datuk Vinod Sekhar, chairman of the Sekhar Institute when asked to comment on the matter said the national religion is headed by His Majesty the King, and within the states, by their Royal Highnesses the Sultans.
“What basis does Jakim have to provide advice on the matter? It should and can only come from the Rulers Council, not some technocrat in a government agency," he said. - February 7, 2025