Make statement in opposing amendment to Act 355

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KUCHING: Sarawak Ministers’ Fellowship (SMF) says it is crucial for the state government to make unequivocal statement in opposing the amendment to the Syariah Courts Act (Criminal Jurisdiction Act 1965), commonly known as Act 355, at this crucial moment when the rest of Malaysia is looking to it to provide leadership.

SMF chairman Reverend Daron Tan in a press statement yesterday said Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg had merely conveyed the state’s view directly to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak without disclosing the state’s stance on the Bill.

“SMF expresses grave concern on the undisclosed stance of the state government on Act 355, in spite of its earlier expression of opposition to it.”

“SMF strongly believes that it is crucial for the state government to make unequivocal statement in opposing the bill at this crucial moment when the rest of the nation looks to it to provide leadership in the kind of religious freedom  it promises  the people of Sarawak,” said Tan.

Tan said SMF had written to all 31 Sarawak MPs in early March, asking them to declare their stand on Act 355.  In the letter, SMF called on Sarawakian MPs to make a commitment to uphold the continued wellbeing, peace and justice of the non-Muslim community including Christians by attending Parliament and voting against the bill.

However, only four MPs – Julau MP Datuk Joseph Salang, Kuching Bandar MP Chong Chieng Jen, Lanang MP Alice Lau and Sibu MP Oscar Ling — responded.

“We are unsettled by the deafening silence from the rest of the MPs whom we made contacts with.

“For now, Sarawak BN and Opposition MPs should take a united and common stand against Act 355 to uphold the oath   they took when they entered Parliament  to protect, defend and uphold the constitution.

“We seek your early and public affirmation to stand with all Sarawakians in your commitment to the essential and fundamental tenets of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the Federal Constitution,” said Tan.

He said if the Bill were to be passed, it would give rise to inter-religious conflict where ‘the on going progressive erosion of religious freedom would be like an ever-tightening noose with no sign of letting up’.

“The Bill will lead to unrest in Sarawak and other parts of the nation as one group tramples over the rights and interest of other groups in the name of religion.

“The outcome could be a parallel criminal justice system with secular penalties for non-Muslims and draconian hudud penalties for Muslims.”

He added that key historical documents relating to the formation of Malaysia had been littered with emphases on the safeguards for religious freedom based on the spirit and concept of ‘complete freedom of religion’ as a stated pre-condition for the people of Sarawak to assent to the formation of Malaysia.

SMF, which is a coalition of pastors, churches, Christian NGOs and concerned Christians in Sarawak, expressed its eagerness to maintain the spirit and letter of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the Federal Constitution that has ensured the prevailing peace and harmony in Sarawak.