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Tuesday, March 12, 2019

Law criminalising opinions on religion is a double-edged sword.




FMT - Do away with archaic laws on ‘insult to religion’

by Tajuddin Rasdi, Tawfik Ismail, Siti Kasim, Lim Teck Ghee and Terence Gomez

some images below have been my selection


We, speaking up for what we believe to represent the majority of peace loving and responsible Malaysians, condemn the unhealthy trend of irresponsible individuals and political parties in capitalising on the issue of “insult to religion” to gain popularity among voters.

Such callous actions by these individuals and groups, bordering on rabble rousing, will put the country in a heightened state of uneasiness and fear.

The government of the day seems unwilling or unable to respond to these acts of opportunism by irresponsible parties for their own selfish ends.


The background relating to the issue of “insult to religion” lies in our colonial and recent past which saw limited education and the mixing of cultures between the different communities.

Hence the past need for restrictive laws to preserve public order.

However, after 60 years as a nation state making its way towards modernity and the matured liberal, scientific and progressive future envisaged in Vision 2020, it is high time to revisit and revise these laws.

On May 9, citizens of Malaysia voted out a failing government and ushered in what we hoped
would be a new era of mature political discourse and freedom of expression.

As with any new manifestation of political culture, there will be teething problems. These problems need to be analyzed and objectively dealt with in the way which developed and mature societies would handle them.

In our country, institutions of religions have been set up to administer each religion with Islam acknowledged in a special situation in the constitutional sphere. Article 3(1) states that, “Islam is the religion of the Federation; but other religions may be practised in peace and harmony in any part of the Federation.”

What this means is that insulting Islam is unacceptable in respect of the current laws.

Similarly, other religions in the country – even if not enjoying the status of Islam – need to be equally respected.


Striking a balance

In the application of laws prohibiting insulting religion, we must strive for a rational and liberal balance with the protection of the freedom of expression while being mindful of the religious sensitivities of our multi-religious communities. Open mindedness and moderation should be the norm in the interpretation and application of the existing laws.

The following are some examples which the holders of state power should not automatically or as a reflex action seek prosecution and punishment just because some individuals or groups label them as constituting religious insult or disrespect:

1. The use of cartoons and caricature to poke fun at religious practices and personalities is an acceptable form of modern mass communication in the world.

The production or reproduction of religion-related literature and art by Malaysians should be permitted and protected under the law so long as the author is not engaged in what is clearly an act of religious hate crime.


2. Opinions on social issues such as child marriages, female circumcision or other similar subjects are perfectly defensible and permissible as they bear no intention of insult.



On the contrary, they provide a contemporary understanding of what are traditionally accepted norms and practices sanctioned by religious authority. The sharing of knowledge on such issues with social and religious institutions and authorities should be encouraged rather than be penalised by the law.


3. Professional opinions on technological, planning design and environmental issues concerning religious buildings or religious actions and rituals should be welcomed as they will help create more sustainable forms and structures that would benefit all members of society.


4. Discourses on spirituality, different forms of religious belief and even agnosticism and atheism should be permitted. Such exchanges of theological and non-theological constructs will enable the nation to grow spiritually as well as be part of the growing universality that is replacing narrow religious, cultural and social constructs.

Protection of the above and other similar expression of thoughts, ideas and constructs are absolutely necessary for Malaysia to grow to become that “psychologically liberated, secure and developed nation” as envisaged in Vision 2020.


National Unity Consultative Council

Together with the above, in view of the recent national and international attention and publicity given to the ten year sentence levelled on a recent offender accused of insulting Islam on social media, we call for an urgent phasing out of the laws related to “insult to religion” by instituting the following replacement:

Cases construed as “insult to religion” should not be the sole judgement of a single judge for fear of ethnic and religious bias.


Such decision should be referred to the National Unity Consultative Council under the purview of the Ministry of National Unity.

NUCC should comprise noted personalities in societies with representatives of officials from the various religious groups.

Secondly, for the period before the laws of “insult to religion” are to be phased out, punishment should not go beyond a commensurate fine within the financial status of the person being charged.

Thirdly, once the laws have been phased out, acts pertaining to so-called “insult to religion” should be referred to NUCC for action. Such action can include collaboration with the respective religious institutions or authorities to ensure that there are no adverse ripple effects from the alleged insult or disrespect; and counselling of the individuals or groups engaging in such action or activities.

Fourthly, religious leaders in their sermons must regularly advise congregants and members of the faith against insulting others and also to turn the other cheek if there are perceived to be insults against their own religion.

We remind our fellow citizens that the resort to law to criminalise opinions and views on religion is a double-edged sword.

Let us put that sword away so we do not end as a cut up and impaired nation.

4 comments:

  1. Religion has always being used as a tool to create and justify conflicts, wars, complaince, division, biasness, politics etc etc

    Anyone saying religion is peaceful, saviour to mankind etc must be Nuts.

    It's time religion be removed from politics, governance and education.

    Let it be a private affair between those who are religious and their God/God's.

    ReplyDelete
  2. We must teach all religions to all students in school. Let the children learn the goodness of all religions. But today we segregate from Standard 1 and teach one religion only.

    But this will never happen, not even in Malaysia Baru.

    Maybe if we have Malaysia Baru-er under Zaid Ibrahim. Somebody slap me please.

    ReplyDelete
  3. We are still well within the lifetime of people who went into murderous berserk when they were instigated into thinking their Race / Religion was under threat.

    A (thankfully Ex-) Prime Minister once aroused a mob by threatening to bathe his Keris/ Dick with the blood of an "enemy" race.

    We are not some bourgeois suburb of Melbourne, Stockholm or Vancouver.

    It is still very possible to instigate people to brutal violence by making them believe their Race or Religion is under threat.

    So , yes, unfortunately, we still need laws as a deterrent against people making the most serious acts of disrespect against other religions.
    And , yes, there needs to be safeguards to prevent such laws from being abused to suppress legitimate dissent and criticism.

    ReplyDelete
  4. KT's QUOTE
    The government of the day seems unwilling or unable to respond to these acts of opportunism by irresponsible parties for their own selfish ends.
    UNQUOTE

    Please do not blame the "government of the day". Federal Harapan government has no control over religion, which is a state matter and since this sentence was made in Sarawak it is a non-Harapan state government. And furthermore both UMNO and PAS support this ridiculous sentence, so even of they were the "government of the day", no difference.

    QUOTE
    Umno: FB user jail sentence a lesson to stop fanning racial and religious hatred

    Sunday, 10 Mar 2019

    PETALING JAYA: The jail sentence meted out on a Facebook user for insulting Islam and Prophet Muhammad should serve as a lesson for others to stop fanning racial and religious hatred.

    Umno information chief Datuk Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah (pic) was commenting on the jail term of 10 years and 10 months imposed by the Sarawak Sessions Court against Alister Cogia (the holder of the Ayea Yea Facebook account).
    UNQUOTE

    and

    QUOTE
    PAS veep: 10-year jail for man who insulted Islam justified
    March 13,2019

    PAS vice-president Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah said the 10-year jail sentence imposed on a Sarawakian man who insulted Prophet Muhammad, on Facebook, is proportionate.

    "If you ask me, I agree. This is because it serves as a warning to all quarters...
    UNQUOTE

    ReplyDelete