http://dapmalaysia.org  

The National Interfaith Commission Of Malaysia Must Be A Statutory Body To Succeed In Promoting Mutual Respect Amongst The Different Religions Without Undermining The Status Of Islam As The Official Religion Of Malaysia Press Statement by Lim Guan Eng (Petaling Jaya, Monday): DAP welcomes the proposed formation of the National Interfaith Commission of Malaysia (NICM) as a positive step in the right direction. DAP has a clear stand of endorsing efforts that advances and leads towards inter-religious understanding and harmony. Accordingly the proposed NICM would not only promote national unity but also inculcate mutual respect amongst different religions without undermining the status of Islam as the official religion of Malaysia.   As a joint program of various independent NGOs such as National Human Rights Society(HAKAM) and the Bar Council, and not from any political party, this non-partisan initiative should be supported by the government. Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, who is leading the committee drafting the NICM, said that the NICM is intended to be consultative, advisory and conciliatory in nature while remaining independent of the government. However there is a need for the NICM to be a statutory body with statutory powers similar to the National Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) so as to get the necessary recognition by the government for its suggestions.   Malaysia being a pluralistic society requires a body such as the NICM to investigate and advise the relevant authorities on possible courses of actions arising from areas where different faiths overlap or sometimes clash. After almost 50 years of independence the time has come for a commission encompassing all religions to provide a medium for Malaysians facing problems that were not solved satisfactorily.   To be a mature nation, we must face problems, not hide them; admit its seriousness, not pretend it does not exist just because it may be considered sensitive. Malaysia boasts that even though Islam is the official religion, it is tolerant towards non-Muslims and non-Islamic religions. Tolerance of different faiths and cultures is sometimes not enough because tolerance implies a barely concealed rejection of different religious beliefs or cultural values-system. The veneer of tolerance can rapidly descend into inter-ethnic and inter-religious bloodshed and barbarism as evidenced in the Balkan and African states.  A permanent and peaceful co-existence amongst different religions can only endure when there exists understanding and mutual respect. The NICM would serve to enhance understanding and promote mutual respect amongst different faiths which hopefully would lead to a strong foundation of religious harmony. DAP hopes that all political parties who share such ideals can adopt a similar position by endorsing the formation of the NICM.  (14/2/2005) * Lim Guan Eng, DAP Secretary-General