KUCHING: All parties should stop trying to take advantage of and to gain political mileage by twisting the issue of the proposed Bill to control and restrict the development of non-Muslim religions.
A political analyst Dr Lee Kuok Tiung pointed out that it was a proposal by a Parti Islam Se-Malaysia’s (PAS) MP and not by the federal government.
“That is his opinion or view,” the senior lecturer at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) said.
He said it should be borne in mind that Malaysia is a multiracial and multi-religious nation, adding that freedom of religion is guaranteed under the Federal Constitution.
“PAS should be more concerned and prioritise ways to fend off Islamophobia in Malaysia and the international stage, especially the perception of Islam as a religion of terror and abuse of the religion to violate the law, such as not having to wear a helmet when going to Friday prayers or parking cars on the road to disrupt traffic on the pretext of prayers,” said Lee.
It was reported that four new Shariah laws were being drafted by the federal government, including a Bill on control and restrictions on the development of non-Muslim religions.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Ahmad Marzuk Shaary said a Wakaf Bill, Mufti Bill, and Syariah Court Bill were the other new laws being planned.
