RELIGIOUS & CULTURAL RIGHTS – BRIEF SUMMARY OF ISSUES

Datuk Vaithilingam at the Proham June 18, 2013 discussions

By Datuk A.Vaithilingam (Hon Proham member)                                                                    

This outline of a talk highlights 5 key matters for our consideration:-

FREEDOM OF RELIGION:

Freedom to practice one's own religion is allowed.

Muslims in Malaysia restricted in freedom? Apostasy?

Lots of restrictions to non-Muslims, viz Allah, halal, Islamisation, etc

PLACES OF WORSHIP:

Much improvement from the year 2008 in the building of pplaces of worship.

Restriction on heights, site too near a mosque, hardly any consideration given in new housing development projects.

Unreasonable restriction on bringing priests, temple musicians, religious speakers, etc.

ARTICLE 121 (1A) DIVIDES NATION INTO TWO:

 1988 saw establishment of 2 Courts -- one Civil Court & the other Syariah Court.

 It has strengthened 'apostasy' in all states.

Contradicting decisions of the 2 separate Courts have put implementation on a standstill with Syariah Court having the edge.

In my opinion the Civil Court Judges have abdicated their powers very sheepishly.

Taken advantage of the govt machinery in unethical conversion cases of children.

Similarly Government machinery is used to claim bodies of people never seen to have practiced Islam.

FAMILY LAWS ARE OUTDATED & FAVOUR ISLAM:

For many years now the AG has been delaying the revision of the Family Laws especially with a need to protect the non Muslims being victimised by Syariah Courts.

Civil Marriages must be deemed as the original vow and oath been already taken earlier. Therefore, any spouse should not runaway from the original responsibility even after conversion to Islam.

On the conversion of children the law which states that the permission of the 'Parent' is required should be taken as both the mother & father. In the English language 'parent' is meant to be both mother & father.

CULTURE:

It must be admitted that the Govt has been quite liberal in celebration of religious festivals. Even public holidays have been given. Processions have been permitted.

It is necessary for all parties concerned to avoid sensitive issues & displays.

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Thoughts presented by Datuk A Vaithilingam on June 18, 2013 at the Proham June 2013 discussions.