KUCHING, Sept 9: Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Youth secretary-general Milton Foo is appealing to Prime Minister Dato Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to uphold the true spirit and practice of “Keluarga Malaysia” which the latter had introduced.
“People want to see a new government with high commitment and sincerity to combat Covid-19 and strive for economic recovery rather than over insensitive religious issues,” he said.
Echoing Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS) chairman Archbishop Fr Simon Poh’s statement earlier, Foo reiterated that the people’s rights to profess and practise religion are guaranteed under Article 11(1) of the Federal Constitution.
Thus, any attempt to control and restrict the practice of religion is unconstitutional.
Foo also expressed his agreement with de facto Law Minister Dato Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar that the States would first need to be consulted as religious matters come under their purview before the proposed enactments to control or limit the development of non-Muslim religions could be tabled in Parliament.
It has been reported that four new shariah laws are being drafted by the federal government including a bill for control and restrictions on the development of non-Muslim religions by Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Ahmad Marzuk Shaary.
A Wakaf Bill, Mufti Bill and Syariah Court Bill are the other new laws being planned. The new laws are part of a five-year plan by the federal government in which 11 changes will be made to strengthen shariah laws, which will include amendments to existing legislation and eight subsidiary shariah laws, as part of the government’s “Empowerment Plan”. — DayakDaily
