KUALA LUMPUR: A joint declaration by more than 150 Malaysians, including those representing 63 groups, denounces what it called a series of crackdowns on intellectuals from Sept 25 to Oct 3.
The individals and groups comprising religious NGOs, human rights NGOs, civil society, student associations and other activist organisations issued a strongly-worded statement which was released at a press conference today.
They condemned the arrest of Turkish writer Mustafa Akyol, the harassment and persecution of Akyol’s host, Farouk Musa of Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF), and the banning of 22 books, including discursive writings by Akyol, Farouk, scholar Faisal Tehrani (Mohd Faizal Musa) and cleric Ustaz Wan Ji Wan Hussin.
The groups made four key demands to the federal government and relevant state authorities, as follows:
- To end all harassments, investigations and charges on Farouk Musa, IRF and their past and future intellectual guests;
- To lift the ban of the books as well as other books that promote intellectual discourses and moderation;
- To abolish the Printing Presses and Publications Act and to replace it with a human-rights-compliant publication law;
- To uphold Freedom of Expression, as enshrined in Article 10(1)(a) of the Federal Constitution and to end all thought policing on academics and academia.
“Religious teaching without tauliah [proper accreditation]” (Section 11 of Act 559 in this case) is a shariah offense normally reserved for errant preachers in mosques and surau.
“So, are intellectual discourses in universities involving Islam now being regulated by the relevant religious authorities as well?
“Do universities have to get clearance from the religious departments before inviting any speakers on any topics related to Islam?” the group said over the cancellation of a forum by Nottingham University where Akyol was to speak, due to pressure from the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Affairs Department (Jawi).
The group said Jawi’s actions against Akyol for allegedly “teaching without accreditation” prior to the aborted forum, and against Farouk for allegedly abetting Akyol, has set a dangerous precedent with far-reaching implications for academic freedom and, certainly, freedom of speech in Malaysia.
“As Islam is being applied in almost every sector in Malaysian society, are the religious bureaucrats now the de-facto thought police for the nation to decide what thoughts we can and cannot have?”, the statement said.
Such control, the group says, also seems to be extended to what religious authorities deem fit for reading by Malaysians.
Mind control
“We also view the recent banning of books by Akyol, Farouk , Faisal Tehrani and Ustaz Wan Ji under Section 7 of the Printing Presses and Publication Act (PPPA) as a further attempt at mind control.”
Based on the relevant passages in the act that was used by the government to ban these books – “prejudicial to public order, morality, security,” “to alarm public opinion,” or “prejudicial to public interest or national interest” – the group questioned Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi over how did the books do as such.
“How did Zahid find ‘Islam Without Extremes: A Muslim Case for Liberty’ and its Malay translation ‘Islam Tanpa Keekstreman: Berhujah Untuk Kebebasan’ by Mustafa Akyol, the two volumes of ‘Wacana Pemikiran Reformis’ edited by Farouk Musa, ‘Aku _ maka aku ada’ (I _ therefore I am) by Faisal Tehrani and ‘Ulamak yang bukan pewaris Nabi’ (Those clergy who are not the Prophet’s successors) by Ustaz Wanji, to be harmful to public order, morality, security, public opinion, public interest or national interest?
“Are ideas like moderation, reform and liberty now enemies of the state?”
The groups said they were coming together as they were concerned the actions taken against Akyol, Farouk and the banning of books were not isolated incidents.
“They seem to be a serious and dangerous escalation in a long and on-going process of thought policing to close the minds of Malaysians, especially Muslims.
“If we do not speak up for Akyol, Farouk, Faisal, Wan Ji and others whom the state want silenced, soon there will be no one left to speak up for us when we are silenced.”
The 50 groups include Sisters in Islam, Aliran, Bersih 2.0, National Human Rights Society (Hakam), Media Independence Movement (Geramm), Suaram, Human Rights Promotion Association (Proham), Pusat Komas, Himpunan Hijau, the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) and Research For Social Advancement (Refsa).
Source: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2017/10/09/groups-individuals-condemn-crackdown-on-intellectuals-book-banning/
