MCCBCHST Press Statement - UMNO General Assembly Cause for Concern

The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) is deeply concerned at developments at the recently concluded UMNO General Assembly. Although we appreciate the Prime Minister's sentiments in his final speech when he called for tolerance and mutual respect, the comments from other ministers, leaders and delegates are oppressive, deeply disturbing and manifest a lack of tolerance and respect for non Muslims.

It must always be remembered that Article 3 of the Federal Constitution reads in full that "Islam is the religion of the Federation; but all other religions may be practised in peace and harmony." Article 11 protects the freedom of religion of all Malaysians, and the freedoms of all religious communities to practise their faith.

The Article 11 coalition's initiatives are regrettably not well understood and have been misconstrued. The forums did not attack any religion, but merely pointed out that the Constitution protects the rights of all Malaysians. We regret the hasty end to the fruitful forums organised by the coalition.

Component bodies of the MCCBCHST were also key participants in the initiative towards the formation of an Interfaith Commission of Malaysia. That initiative was also totally misunderstood. The proposed Interfaith Commission poses no threat at all to any religion but is intended to be a body which performs a purely advisory, consultative and conciliatory role in protecting and promoting religious harmony.

The MCCBCHST is made up of religious organisations that respect all religions, and are committed to enhancing national unity through promotion of dialogue and mutual understanding and respect. Malaysians from all walks of life are suffering from injustices committed in the name of religion. When we criticise government departments and relevant authorities for these injustices, this is not an attack on the religion but on the people misusing their power in the name of that religion.

The continued insecurity evident from the comments of ministers, leaders and delegates made at the UMNO General Assembly (all of whom seem to be overcome with the need to somehow prove their Islamic credentials) is lending an air of uncertainty to many Malaysians from all other faith backgrounds. We urgently need greater dialogue between representatives of all our religions in order to achieve solutions to the inter faith problems faced by Malaysians. We ask the Government who represents itself to be a Government for all Malaysians to immediately take the lead on this.

R. Thiagaraja,
Honorary Secretary General
Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism

Dated 25th November 2006