Responses TO U-TURN
The government’s turn has been lauded by various organizations.
Tan Hoe Chieow, chairman of the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism, believes that the Cabinet selection seeks to maintain Malaysia’s spiritual unity.
“That’s a very important decision by the Cabinet, ” he added, as quoted by news outlet The Star.
T. C. Huazong, president of the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia ( Huazong ). According to C Goh, the non-Muslim area may be affected significantly by the proposed guidelines.
” For ideas, especially those involving racial and religious differences, should not be formally announced by sections or agencies, as this challenges public outcry,” said Goh, as quoted by The Star.
He also urged ministers to base their decisions on permitted policies, particularly those that involve sensitive matters, and criticized the exercise of announcing policies without the approval of the Cabinet, calling it randomly inappropriate.
Responding to Anwar’s news, civil society group G25, made up of popular retired Asian legal servants, said that it clearly opposes the development of any guidelines- expert or no.
“They are unwanted, impossible and destructive to national unity, ” the Star quoted it as saying.
As opposed to organising social or cultural events in non-Muslim homes of worship, these rules could lead to fanning worries of excess into non-Muslim religious affairs.
“Malaysians, including Muslims, are totally capable of exercising our own assessment. ”
Yet, some politicians on both sides of the hall have questioned the government’s U-turn.
Anwar and the United Malays National Organization youth leader Akmal Saleh disagreed that the rules are unwanted.
“These suggestions are meant as a guide, not because people are ignorant, but because often we neglect, and this serves as a reminder, ” he said in a Twitter blog.
He added that there is no need for non-Muslims to become involved when it comes to rules that only use to Muslims.
“Simple as that. ”
Similarly, youth chief of opposition party Parti Islam Se-Malaysia ( PAS ) Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden has questioned the government’s flip-flop, saying that it raises concerns over the government’s commitment to upholding the National Fatwa Council’s decisions as well as Islam’s position as the religion of the federation.
“PAS Youth believes that Islam, as the church of the union, may be completely respected in all federal policies and actions, ” he said in a speech, as reported by media platform Malaysiakini.
We urge that attention be paid to this problem to ensure that national harmony is maintained while protecting Islam’s sovereignty. ”