LETTER | Dialogue before policy announcements, please

LETTER | Dear Mr Prime Minister,

At the outset, this letter is not intended to offend any particular religion, their personal beliefs, or the position of Islam in Malaysia.

The purpose of this letter is to bring the attention of your government to the feelings of the 40 percent non-Muslim population in this country.

As the custodian of justice and equality, your government has a crucial role in ensuring fair treatment for all citizens, irrespective of race and religion. They deserve to be heard and their concerns considered, as this is vital for our nation’s unity and prosperity.

The unnecessary police investigation against DAP MP Teresa Kok for urging the government to review a proposal to impose halal certification on eateries not serving pork and alcohol has once again raised the question of whether your Madani government is serious about actual reforms and uniting Malaysians to prepare for global challenges instead of scoring points on petty issues that divide the people and cause hatred and distrust against one another.

The unilateral declaration of a religious affairs minister without consultation with government partners creates the perception of an attempt to seize the role of championing Muslim issues away from Umno, which is part of this coalition government.

Freedom of expression is guaranteed under the Federal Constitution, and all Malaysians are entitled to speak up when their rights are infringed upon.

It is the duty of the government, and in this case, your Madani government, to ensure that government policies promote the true spirit of unity and co-existence envisaged by our forefathers. After all, we celebrated 67 years of Merdeka with a “Malaysia Madani Jiwa Merdeka” theme just 10 days ago.

Instilling hope for a harmonious future

Instead of trying to champion a narrow cause to win the next election, the Madani government should champion peaceful co-existence, nation-building, economic and democratic reforms, and take proactive measures to unite all Malaysians as a single Malaysian race and instil hope for a harmonious future. That would be appreciated as true reform.

Mr Prime Minister, your election manifestos have clearly stated that if Pakatan Harapan forms the government, you will abolish the Sedition Act, which you yourself previously termed an archaic law - a legacy of British rule.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Mohd Na’im Mokhtar was reported as saying that the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) is exploring a proposal that would require halal certification for restaurants and food businesses that do not serve pork or alcohol.

He suggested that the Muslim community be proactive in verifying the halal status of restaurants through platforms like the Halal Malaysia Portal, thereby increasing consumer awareness.

At no point did the minister say that his proposal was being considered for Muslim eateries only. To make matters worse, he appears to be inciting the Muslim community into putting pressure on business operators to compel them to obtain halal certification.

I now wonder who should be investigated for sedition in the first place.

It is a fact that Malaysia’s tolerance towards religious issues has diminished drastically compared to 40 years ago. While religion is a sensitive matter in our country, it must not be forgotten that this sensitivity cuts across all religious groups.

I don’t think there have been any kind of objections from non-Muslims in this country towards the halal requirements for restaurants serving food for Muslims.

However, it is natural for non-Muslims to feel uncomfortable and raise their objections when halal conditions are imposed upon their businesses.

The minister’s suggestion is clearly encroaching upon the businesses and lives of non-Muslims, causing them undue stress and uncertainty.

Didn’t this government and previous governments assure Malaysians that Islamic laws would apply to the Muslim community alone?

Many wonder where this encroachment into their affairs will end. Could it be extended to all provision shops selling food items like rice and vegetables next and beyond?

Room for all perspectives

Many wonder if Na’im has been given a free pass to bulldoze and formulate any regulation he deems appropriate to “seize” the Malay vote bank without consulting other partners in the government. Was the unity minister consulted on this?

It is strange that as prime minister, you seem to suggest that those who raise objections have committed sedition and they should instead use the proper channel. The term “proper channel” is archaic - used by your previous political opponents to which you previously objected.

Would your government please consider the importance of holding dialogues and discussions in the cabinet before announcing policies and regulations that could potentially cause alarm and anxiety among Malaysians?

This approach would not only ensure that all perspectives are considered but also foster a sense of inclusivity and transparency in governance.

WAYTHA MOORTHY PONNUSAMY is Parti Kemajuan Malaysia president.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.