By Tedong Rantayy
MIRI, Feb 6: The proposed new guidelines regulating Muslims’ involvement in non-Muslim events and celebrations risk undermining racial harmony, exacerbating religious tensions, and threatening Malaysia’s multicultural fabric.
Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Youth Central vice president Kelvin Hii has strongly objected to the guidelines, arguing that they are particularly unsuitable for Sarawak’s unique social landscape.
He urged the government to reconsider, arguing that social harmony should not be dictated by laws and regulations but cultivated through education.
“Respect and tolerance must be instilled in every citizen from a young age,” he said.
Hii stressed that any national directive should be universally applicable across Malaysia, a country globally recognised for its rich multicultural and multi-religious identity—an appeal that draws tourists eager to experience its diverse cultural and religious heritage.
“In recent years, Malaysia has witnessed rising racial and religious tensions, with many national issues revolving around these themes. Failing to safeguard our diversity could weaken our unique identity, leading to deeper divisions and social unrest,” he said.
Hii emphasised that while Islam is Malaysia’s official religion, the country is also home to various other faiths. “This dual reality is unchangeable. Therefore, it is vital that people of different races and religions coexist harmoniously without infringing upon one another’s beliefs,” he added.
He highlighted that festivals and celebrations provide rare opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds to interact as most people remain within their own social circles in daily life.
“Festive events allow them to engage with others outside their immediate community. However, if rigid regulations dictate the terms of mutual respect, it could discourage social interaction. Some non-Muslims may feel restricted and opt not to invite their Muslim friends as they typically would,” he explained.
Sarawak is often cited as a model of racial and religious harmony, where people of all backgrounds live together without division. During festive seasons, residents exchange greetings and visit one another’s homes.
In restaurants, different ethnic groups dine together, while mutual understanding and respect prevail in workplaces and neighborhoods. Many Sarawakian families include members of various ethnic and religious backgrounds, yet they continue to gather, embrace, and respect one another’s beliefs.
Hii expressed concerns that if the new guidelines are enforced, Sarawak must strive to preserve its social fabric and remain a bastion of unity.
On Wednesday (Feb 5), in a parliamentary written reply to Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan (PN-Permatang Pauh), Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar stated that the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) was finalising guidelines on Muslims’ participation in events at non-Islamic places of worship.
Mohd Na’im explained that the revised guidelines aim to prevent incidents that could be sensitive to Muslims.
The guidelines prohibit speeches, singing, or pamphlet distribution that propagate other religions, as well as performances that insult or belittle Islamic beliefs. Events must also not be held near mosques, suraus, Muslim cemeteries, or religious endowment land (wakaf). Additionally, events should not coincide with Muslim prayer times, including Friday prayers.
The proposed guidelines have ignited a broader debate about the role of religion in Malaysia’s public life and its impact on the nation’s longstanding multicultural identity. — DayakDaily
