KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8: United Malaysian Hindu Voice (UMHV) has urged the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to give assurance that the government is commitment to safeguard the non-Muslims’ right to freedom of religious practice as guaranteed by the Federal Constitution and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

Its president, P. Navindran said that the prime minister, in line with his “Keluarga Malaysia” concept, should assure Malaysians that the newly-appointed government would not violate the Constitution.

“We will be grateful if the Prime Minister and the newly appointed government takes some generous steps towards their citizen,” he said in statement today.

He was responding to a report that four new shariah laws are being drafted by the federal government, including a Bill on control and restrictions on the development of non-Muslim religions.

On Monday, Harakah Daily quoted Religious Affairs Deputy Minister Ahmad Marzuk Shaary as saying that the proposed law was part of the government’s “empowerment plan”, which would involve 11 legislative steps, including four new laws and seven amendments.

Navindran added that: “This is a considerable concern to Malaysia’s non-Muslim minority, who makes up nearly 45 percent of the country’s population. The Constitution protects freedom of religion under Article 11.

“Although Article 3 of the federation’s constitution is explicit about Islam being the official religion, the right to follow a different faith in peace and concord belongs to all residents. Article 11 of the Constitution in no way restricts the freedom of worship of non-Muslims.

“Article 11(4) confers on the government the authority to adopt legislation prohibiting the spread of any religious theories or beliefs among Muslims.

“This is a crucial element that ensures peace and stability, as well as the protection of the majority population’s religious beliefs under the Constitution.

“However, the Constitution does not grant the government the authority to impose any limitations on the beliefs and practises of non-Muslims by legislation.

“The Deputy Minister of Islamic Affairs appears to be purposefully instilling fear and panic among non-Muslims regarding their fundamental freedom to profess the religion of their own.

“Any attempt to enact legislation to control and restrict the development of non-Muslim religions is unconstitutional and demonstrates unequivocally that the newly sworn-in government is either ignorant of the Constitution’s contents and rights or is purposefully pushing forward an agenda to intimidate and cause fear among the non-Muslim population.

“If this is permitted, it is certain to foment discord and jeopardise the government’s efforts to foster unity among its citizens, as well as jeopardise the National Unity Blueprint’s goals. The country is in upheaval, with job losses and an economic collapse as a result of the high number of COVID19 cases.

“The citizens’ discontent and despair resulted in the previous government losing its majority. As opposed to working to resolve the residents’ most pressing concerns, members of the cabinet are creating chaos and tensions among a major portion of the population without legal justification,” he added.