PROHAM is concerned at the
direction and manner in which the religious authority of Wilayah Persekutuan is
interpreting the powers under Section 11 of the Syariah Criminal Offences
(Federal Territories) Act 1997.
Invoking this provision of the
law against Mustafa Akyol; the world-renowned journalist, author and academic has
marred and besmirched Malaysia’s status as a moderate Muslim state in the eyes
of the world. The Honourable Prime Minister has always maintained and promoted
Malaysia as a moderate Muslim nation and as an example to be followed by other
Muslim states. However, this incident unfortunately proves otherwise.
PROHAM notes that Section 11 is
not applicable to someone who gives public lectures on comparative religion or
conducts an academic discourse on Islam. It does not come within the context of
religious education as envisaged under Part X of the Administration of Islamic
Law (Federal Territories) Act 1993. Hence, Mustafa Akyol’s detention is unjustified,
unlawful and the religious authority concerned has acted in excess of its
jurisdiction.
Unnecessary restrictions imposed
on journalists, authors and academicians infringe the basic principles of human
rights. All religious authorities must respect this basic right. Further, the act
of the religious authority in this manner undermines tolerance and respect for
the various religious beliefs in a country with multi-racial, multi-religious
and a democratic society like ours.
PROHAM calls on the government to
ensure that such a conduct by any religious authority is never to be repeated
again.
Datuk Kuthubul Zaman Bukhari
Chairman, PROHAM
Sept 30, 2017
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