Yesterday in Parliament I posed an oral question to Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed and asked why the Government has failed and or neglected to enforce the law against those who run down non-Muslim faith both by of publication or otherwise.
The Deputy replied that the Government is aware of the wrongs which are taking place but it is working closely with NGOs and other stake holders and enforce the law on those who damage or hurt non-Muslims.
But this answer given is neither here nor there. It does not in any way assure the non-Muslims who are undergoing great slaught against their faiths. The attack on non-Muslims faith is unabated!
It is therefore of great importance to supervise and curb issues on increasing religious matters of late and ensure check and balance that frequently arise.
Therefore there is a necessity to appoint equal numbers of non-Muslims in the State Government and Federal Government departments to be able to find a solutions to promote harmony and peace in this country as we are living in a multiracial community.
The appointment of non-Muslims as Ministers and involving the non-governmental organisations are important to allow discussions to be conducted in proper and that particularly of issues regarding “desecration”(to treat disrespectfully or showing no respect).
As such it is now or never. Henceforth in solving the problems it should start from ground work. These discussions are important and relevant on this matter where police and religious authorities should also co-operate and join force to curtail arising problems on religious matters of late.
Once upon a time Malaysia was very well respected as a country which is a peaceful country. Now to say the same would certainly cast a doubt on us as Malaysians especially in view of the uncalled of behavior of certain political leaders and citizens in this country.
Take for example the issue where the IGP’s brother was responsible and stirred up riots and made issues on religious matters involving the Christian community. This is with regards to the cross sign over the shophouse where the fellow Christians were conducting their church services peacefully. Suddenly the IGP’s brother was seen involved in this matter and there was no reason to involve as it certainly does not concern him or disturb his religious practices as Muslim in any way. Is it that the IGP’s brother is so powerful above the IGP himself that he can do whatever as he so wishes!
There were also other issues although many of this sort on religious matters involving non-Muslims have certainly gone unrecorded. One of the many to take note would be where there had been sales of slippers printed with the design of Hindu god “Lord Ganesha” or that been recognized as the “elephant god” to many. Would the Muslim community allow in the first instance for sale of such sort of slippers in the wide market had it involved their religion?
We as Malaysians have so much respect in view of our religious practice as we harmonize ourselves in a multiracial community.
Merely giving empty promises or assurances as was done by Datuk Nur Zalan just makes a mockery and shows how inept the political leaders are to handle non-Muslim issues.
Thus I call upon the Government to set a non-Muslims department to specifically deal with non-Muslim issues as is being done by a Ministry for Muslims matters.