RANAU: The Madani unity government came in for praise from political parties and civil society groups over its decision to not proceed with proposed guidelines for Muslims attending events organised by followers of other faiths, especially at non-Muslim places of worship.
There are also calls for all proposals on policies that border on sensitive matters to be first discussed and approved by the Federal Cabinet before being brought to parliament.
AdvertisementUnited Kinabalu Progressive Organisation (Upko) said it appreciates the decision as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Its President Datuk Ewon Benedick said the decision highlights the spirit of tolerance towards racial and religious diversity and respects the maturity of Muslims in this country.
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“The Prime Minister opened the door for Cabinet members to voice their views. I was among those who expressed my views.
Advertisement“Following that, Anwar announced there is no need to proceed with the guidelines,” he said.
Ewon said the Government respects the maturity of Muslims in considering what can and cannot be done when attending events organised by followers of other faiths.
AdvertisementHe said the Madani government also wants to strengthen religious tolerance and togetherness among diverse people.
The government also welcomes dialogues on harmony, especially those organised by the Inter-Religious Harmony Committee under the Ministry of National Unity to encourage more interaction between leaders and followers of various religions so that understanding and religious sensitivity can be further strengthened.
“Upko has carried out its responsibility to be part of yesterday’s government decision. This is Upko’s contribution to the future of the country based on the spirit of the 1963 Malaysia Agreement,” said Ewon, who is also Penampang MP and Kadamaian Assemblyman at the Chinese New Year celebration organised by Upko Ranau Division in Kg Lasing on Saturday.
Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) President Tan Sri TC Goh welcomed the move and stressed the importance of thorough discussions before presenting sensitive proposals in Parliament.
He urged that such proposals only be announced after receiving Cabinet approval to prevent unnecessary public concern and backlash.
Goh pointed to previous instances where similar proposals were retracted, including Jakim’s suggestion that food and beverage operators who do not sell pork or alcohol be required to obtain halal certification. That proposal, too, was ultimately overturned by the Cabinet.
“Similar mistakes should not be repeated. Any so-called ‘proposal’ that has not been deliberated, agreed upon, or approved by the Cabinet – especially those involving racial and religious sensitivities – should not be unilaterally announced by departments or agencies concerned.
“Doing so risks triggering public uproar, as in the recent case,” he said.
Goh, who is also President of the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS), reaffirmed Huazong’s support for the decision.
Goh also urged Cabinet members to ensure that their responses to parliamentary questions especially on sensitive issues align strictly with policies approved by the Cabinet. He contended that announcing policies before securing approval is both procedurally inappropriate and a violation of due process.
“Responses given in Parliament are often perceived as representing the government’s current or future policies. If these policies have not yet been approved by the Cabinet, or even by Parliament, how can they be implemented?” he asked.
On the now-retracted guidelines on Muslim participation in non-Muslim celebrations and funerals, Goh said they also had significant implications for the non-Muslim community.
Especially the requirement for event organisers to seek prior approval from authorities and consult Islamic religious bodies before inviting Muslim leaders to celebrations.
Such a provision, he argued, would create unnecessary divisions, erode racial and religious harmony, and discourage event organisers from inviting Muslim leaders and friends, ultimately leading to an unwise and counterproductive outcome.
Citing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s presence at the Thaipusam celebrations as a positive example, Goh praised Malaysia’s tradition of inclusivity, where leaders across different races and religions participate in major cultural celebrations.
“This open-minded approach has been widely welcomed and appreciated by the public.
“It reflects Malaysia’s multicultural identity, built on racial and religious understanding and tolerance since our nation’s founding and independence. Such inclusivity has always been natural and unforced, without the need for restrictions,” he said.
Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Sarawak Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said the guidelines indicate that Muslims in Malaysia do not know how to judge for themselves.
He said contrary to Jakim’s fears, Muslims are aware of the boundaries they need to follow without requiring any new regulations.
He added that the guidelines are not relevant in Sarawak as the region’s population, consisting of various races and religions, are able to live together in harmony while practising their respective beliefs.
“In Sarawak, we have no problem. We don’t have issues celebrating the festivals of different religions together.
“I am glad that Prime Minister Anwar overturned the proposed guidelines,” he said.
Sarawak United Peoples’ Party Sec-Gen. Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew said the proposed guidelines are “unnecessary and over-bearing” and not needed in Sarawak.
“We don’t need such religious guidelines in Sarawak,” said SUPP.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Na’im Mokhtar told Parliament earlier that the Government would be introducing a new set of guidelines for events involving Muslims.
The guidelines include having to obtain permission from religious authorities if the event includes Muslims, and that the events must not contain elements that could offend Muslim sensitivities.
“Although we fully understand and respect the Minister’s proposal our stand is that there is no official religion in Sarawak and hence, that “secular Sarawak” enshrinement in Sarawak Constitution and also the Malaysia Agreement (MA63) must be taken into cognisance when proposing guidelines bordering on any religion, including Islam,” he said.
SUPP stressed that Sarawak is often praised as a model of religious acceptance and harmony, where people of different faiths - Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and various indigenous beliefs - coexist peacefully.
Ting said Sarawak’s multi-cultural and multi-religious society embraces mutual respect, often celebrating each other’s festivals and traditions together. This unity is deeply rooted in Sarawak’s culture, where interfaith marriages, mixed-ethnic communities and a strong sense of togetherness are common.
“SUPP also credited the Sarawak Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Government, of which we are proud to be a partner, for playing a vital role in ensuring religious freedom and interfaith understanding, making Sarawak a shining example of unity in diversity.”
Borneo’s Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo) Sabah Sarawak Rights Australia New Zealand (SSRANZ), a coalition of civil society groups and political leaders from Sabah and Sarawak, said the guidelines would have breached the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and was a violation of fundamental rights.
They said it had the potential of disrupting racial and religious harmony in the region.
They said Sabah and Sarawak leaders have long emphasised that their states uphold multiculturalism and religious tolerance, in contrast to growing religious conservatism in peninsula.
“In Borneo, it is normal for families to have members of different faiths, for friends to celebrate each other’s religious festivals, and for communities to support one another regardless of religious background. This is not just our tradition—it is our identity,” they said.