Two PAS Sabah leaders have taken issue with his remarks, alleging that these were “not sensitive to the Islamic ummah (faithful) in the nation in general and in Sabah in particular”.
Over the weekend, Sabah PAS deputy commissioner (1) Hamzah Abdullah lodged a report at the district police headquarters in Karamunsing, Kota Kinabalu.
Utusan Borneo quoted Hamzah as describing portions of the speech by Dompok as “simply too much, irresponsible and carrying elements of agitation against Islam which is the official religion of Malaysia and Sabah”.
Article 3 of the federal constitution 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’.
“The Upko president’s speech can disrupt peace, security and public order in the state and the nation,” claimed Hamzah.
“We made a police repor
t to enable the police to carry out investigations and take appropriate action against ... Dompok under the laws of this nation which have been breached.”
Hamzah labelled several portions of the speech as “offensive to Muslims, Islam, the (Agong) and the (Sabah) governor who are heads of the religion”.
This was an apparent reference to 10 paragraphs of the 21-page speech delivered at the meeting held from Oct 12-14.
Making special reference to the situation in Sabah, Dompok mainly touched on the fear that freedom of religion is being eroded; issues linked to conversion to Islam; the predicament of those wishing to leave the religion; and the question of jurisdiction over cases taken to court.
“Converts of the 60s and 70s (in Sabah) who have not realised the seriousness of conversion and continued to lead their old life,” reads paragraph 7 of the speech.
“The children... may feel that they have never been Muslims but their identity cards show otherwise. When they marry either under customary law or civil law, they encounter problems in registering the births of their children.”
Natives of Sabah who have Muslim-sounding names and who are ascribed a religion can have a hard time making the necessary correction, said Dompok, who is also a federal minister.
“Some have been advised to go to the Syariah Court to clear their religion. How can someone who has never been a Muslim be subjected to Syariah (law)?”
“We plead to the authority for understanding on the predicaments of the local bumiputeras and to allow them to decide on their religion. I feel that Indonesia, a predominantly and easily the most populous Muslim country provides the best example for Malaysia in as far as religious practices are concerned.”
Reasons for complaint
In their police report, the two complainants pointed out that apostasy is not allowed by Islam and “is the very antithesis of the religion”.
“By raising the prospect of allowing murtad (apostasy), Dompok clearly has bad intentions,” said Sabah PAS Youth acting deputy chief Lahirul Latigu.
“This can create a tense situation among the people in the state and disrupt the racial harmony which has long prevailed (here).”
Both contended that Dompok has ignored advice by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, not to dispute or raise sensitive issues which touch on “Islam, Malay Rulers and the rights of the Malays”.
Dompok also pointed out in his remarks that he had raised “some of the prime concerns of a multiracial Malaysia in his speech at the Upko convention last year” which the premier had attended.
“These concerns were also in the memorandum that was sent to the prime minister (in January 2006) by nine (of the 10 non-Muslim) ministers. I was a signatory to this memorandum. Sadly, those who signed it were later asked to withdraw it,” added Dompok.
“I did not withdraw my signature because I felt that there was nothing improper in the memorandum. Indeed, the contents were very much consonant with the effort by the government to strive for a Malaysia that recognises the (special) position of Islam within the federation and the rights of others to practise the religion of their choice”.
Hamzah labelled several portions of the speech as “offensive to Muslims, Islam, the (Agong) and the (Sabah) governor who are heads of the religion”.
This was an apparent reference to 10 paragraphs of the 21-page speech delivered at the meeting held from Oct 12-14.
Making special reference to the situation in Sabah, Dompok mainly touched on the fear that freedom of religion is being eroded; issues linked to conversion to Islam; the predicament of those wishing to leave the religion; and the question of jurisdiction over cases taken to court.
“Converts of the 60s and 70s (in Sabah) who have not realised the seriousness of conversion and continued to lead their old life,” reads paragraph 7 of the speech.
“The children... may feel that they have never been Muslims but their identity cards show otherwise. When they marry either under customary law or civil law, they encounter problems in registering the births of their children.”
Natives of Sabah who have Muslim-sounding names and who are ascribed a religion can have a hard time making the necessary correction, said Dompok, who is also a federal minister.
“Some have been advised to go to the Syariah Court to clear their religion. How can someone who has never been a Muslim be subjected to Syariah (law)?”
“We plead to the authority for understanding on the predicaments of the local bumiputeras and to allow them to decide on their religion. I feel that Indonesia, a predominantly and easily the most populous Muslim country provides the best example for Malaysia in as far as religious practices are concerned.”
Reasons for complaint
In their police report, the two complainants pointed out that apostasy is not allowed by Islam and “is the very antithesis of the religion”.
“By raising the prospect of allowing murtad (apostasy), Dompok clearly has bad intentions,” said Sabah PAS Youth acting deputy chief Lahirul Latigu.
“This can create a tense situation among the people in the state and disrupt the racial harmony which has long prevailed (here).”
Both contended that Dompok has ignored advice by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, not to dispute or raise sensitive issues which touch on “Islam, Malay Rulers and the rights of the Malays”.
Dompok also pointed out in his remarks that he had raised “some of the prime concerns of a multiracial Malaysia in his speech at the Upko convention last year” which the premier had attended.
“These concerns were also in the memorandum that was sent to the prime minister (in January 2006) by nine (of the 10 non-Muslim) ministers. I was a signatory to this memorandum. Sadly, those who signed it were later asked to withdraw it,” added Dompok.
“I did not withdraw my signature because I felt that there was nothing improper in the memorandum. Indeed, the contents were very much consonant with the effort by the government to strive for a Malaysia that recognises the (special) position of Islam within the federation and the rights of others to practise the religion of their choice”.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment