Press Statement by Charles Santiago in Klang on
Monday, 11th August 2008:
Religious tolerance at cross-roads
as Malaysia celebrates its 51 years of nation-hood
Calls for the halt on discussions
relating to Islamic conversions clearly reflect the intention to curb
any form of debate on religious disputes in the country. Weeks of
political wrangling and the demonstration outside the Bar Council goes
to show that the nation is immature to handle sensitive issues.
I strongly believe that intolerance should not be used as an excuse
whenever controversial issues are discussed.
The Bar Council had clearly said that it was not trying to challenge the
official position of Islam in the country. The conference was a response
to growing concerns that the rights of the minority are in a limbo when
dealing with cases concerning religious conversions.
Government leaders have continuously prided themselves of having
achieved racial and religious harmony in the country. It was their
favourite slogan during the 50 years of independence celebrations. But
the inability to hold dialogues about religious issues to find durable
solutions only shows that the nation is split along racial and religious
lines.
Saturday's forum would have provided us with a rare opportunity to
examine the rights of the families who are caught in a legal dilemma
when one spouse converts to Islam. Such disputes have mirrored the
dissatisfaction and anger of the minority communities who believe the
existing law does not safeguard their rights.
The outcome of prominent court cases favouring spouses who have
converted to Islam has to a large extent strained the relationship
between Muslims and non-Muslims in Malaysia. Any further ban or
clampdown on open discussions on religious conversions would further
dash any hope of resolving ethnic and religious tensions in the country.
I would like to point out that the forum was attended by both Muslim and
non-Muslim legal experts. Former Suhakam Commissioner Prof. Mehrun Siraj
has clearly noted that non-Muslims are discriminated upon in conversion
cases. She has also made suggestions to allow a converted spouse the
chance to annul the marriage at the Civil Court in cases where the other
spouse opted not to convert.
Likewise, it would have been prudent for the protesters to join the
meeting and come up with recommendations to clarify the position of a
non-Muslim spouse.
The call by MP for Kulim - Bandar Bahru Zulkifli Nordin to appoint
Muslim lawyers as the head of the Bar Council in order to protect the
interest of Islam is shocking. The function of the Bar Council is to
uphold the rule of law and the cause of justice and protect the interest
of the legal profession as well as that of the public.
I demand that Zulkifli offers an apology for departing from his role as
an elected representative and instead instigating the protesters to
storm the Bar Council building to stop the forum.
The act of bringing to an abrupt end a peaceful meeting by intimidation
and threat does not speak well for freedom of expression and religious
tolerance as the country celebrates 51 years of nationhood. The action
of Zulkifli and the mob has only served to reflect Islam as an
intolerant religion. This is sad given that Islam promotes dialogue,
tolerance and unity among people of all faiths.
*
Charles Santiago, MP for Klang
http://dapmalaysia.org