By Sharunya Raja

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 12: A coalition of non-government organizations has handed over a memorandum demanding the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s explanation over the intended enactment of a Bill to control and restrict non-Islamic religions.

In a memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister’s Office on Thursday, the Global Hindu Rights Federation (GHRF) expressed deep concern over the announcement made Deputy Religious Affairs Minister Datuk Ahmad Marzuk Shaary about four new shariah laws which including “a bill on control and restrictions on the development of non-muslims religions”.

“Article 11 (1) of the Federal Constitution clearly gives the right to every person ‘to profess and practise his religion and, subject to clause (4), to propagate it’ the federal government has the authority to prohibit or prevent the spread of any religious teaching or belief among Muslims.

Clause (4) does not apply where no other religion’s doctrine or belief is propagated to Muslims.

“The Constitution does not provide any right for the government to legislate any form of control or impose any restrictions on the beliefs and practice of non-Muslims in Malaysia.

“GHRF therefore, wishes to remind the deputy minister that the basic structure of this secular constitution will not allow for a Theocratic Islamic State for Malaysia, where all religions are subject to the constitution,”

“Thus, the proposed Syariah law bill 355, is a reflection of the sad state of ethnic and religions in the country,” the memorandum added.

Meanwhile, in a separate memorandum, a coalition of NGOs said Malaysians are against the statement issued by Ahmad Marzuk on the proposed law to restrict the progress of non-Islamic religions in Malaysia

“This matter is not intended to strengthen Shariah Law in Malaysia, rather, it is an attack on Malaysians’ human rights, which is in violation of the Malaysian Constitution.

“YAB, we request that YAB can make a statement to explain the real situation,” it added.

The memorandum, which was submitted by the coalition’s coordinator Arun Doraisamy, also stress that the Article 11 of the Federal Constitution which stated ‘Every person has the right to profess and practice his religion and, subject to Clause (4), to propagate it.’