KOTA KINABALU: Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki’s statement that atheism contradicts both the Federal Constitution and the Rukunegara is nonsensical and ignorant, said Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Datuk Seri Panglima Teo Chee Kang.
“Atheism does not contradict the Federal Constitution and Rukunegara as freedom of religion is enshrined in the Federal Constitution,” he stressed.
Aside from that, Teo pointed out that the Federal Constitution does not have any provisions against atheism.
“It is clear that Asyraf has misinterpreted the Federal Constitution,” he said.
Teo, who is also the Minister of Special Tasks, said it was unbecoming for a federal deputy minister to make such a statement and urged the federal government to clarify Asyraf’s remarks so as to prevent causing fear to the public and other negative implications.
“If the Kuala Lumpur chapter of the Atheists Republic is proven to be an illegal organisation or found to have derogated other religions, action can be taken against them under the Societies Act or Sedition Act.
“However, to say that atheists contradict the Federal Constitution is utterly incomprehensible. Being an atheist is not a crime in the eyes of the law so long as they do not interfere with other religions,” he said, adding that non-Muslims have the right to choose their own religions.
Meanwhile, Teo lamented that certain individuals in Malaysia have been spending too much time stirring up religious issues.
“Disputes on religious issues have increased considerably in recent years. This is a waste of resources and time that could be used on developing the country and society instead,” he said.
Instead of harping on atheism, Asyraf should think about reducing the crime rate or improving the economic climate and national income and other issues that the people were truly concerned about.
“The relevant authorities will only take action on atheists if they have committed a crime, not because they profess no religion.
“To non-Muslims, having no religion is not a crime but a personal choice,” he noted.