Religious Committee for non-Muslims

Now with the dust already settled in Selangor with the appointment of the state executive councillors amongst members of the PKR-DAP-PAS coalition government, the time has come for the coalition elected leaders to address outstanding issues affecting the non-Muslims of the state. One of the critical issues is allocation of land for non-Muslims to build places of worship.

The previous Selangor state government has a Jawatankuasa Rumah Ibadat bukan Islam chaired by the State Secretary with members from non-Muslims state excos to address issues related to the development of places of worship for the non-Muslims. But the functions of this committee are limited and cases referred to it took a long time to be settled.

Many still remembers the incident of the group of non-Muslims Ministers in the previous Cabinet, when they were asked to withdraw the memorandum they submitted to the Prime Minister on situation of the non-Muslims community. Incidents of body-snatching and debatable conversion were also widely known all over. Another matter is the reluctance of the federal government to set up a working body within the PM department for the non-Muslims. The rejection of this proposed body, which is to be a channel for them to seek for solutions and help on matters affecting their freedom of religious practice, is perceived as non-accommodating to the needs of the non-Muslims.

If the newly established coalition government in Penang, Perak, Kedah and Selangor are serious in walking the talk, this is the time for them to put into action their commitment towards a balanced society and religious freedom as enshrined in the constitution. This is their golden opportunity to take the lead by setting up a State Committee for non-Muslims Affairs chaired by a non-muslim senior Exco in Selangor and Kedah, deputy Menteri Besar in Perak and Chief Minister in Penang.