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We urge the Malaysian Government to set up an Inter-Religious Council to deal with religious polarization and other matters affecting inter-religious relationship.
Summary of the speech by Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong in the Malaysian Parliament during the debate on the committee stage, Ministry of National Unity and Social Development allocation RM303,644,590, on 4 December, 2001.

 
Malaysia is a multireligious country. Although Muslims are the majority, there is substantial non-Muslim minority. There is some goodwill among the religions. Nevertheless, religious polarization exists.

The Malaysian Government has a Ministry of National Unityand Social Development and a Panel on National Unity. One of the activities of the National Unity Ministry is continuously and effectively to increase and integrate unity and patriotism among the people. However, there are glaring inadequacies.

After 44 years of Independence, we still have many problems that affect
national unity. For example, May 13 and Taman Medan incidents occurred. There are many factors causing these incidents such as mono-ethnic political parties and education policy that cannot overcome racial and religious barriers.

Hence, we have proposed the setting up of National Unity Consultative
Council to study the causes of inter-racial conflicts.

Inter-Religious Council

Information and Communications Technology, ICT, gives opportunities for all religions to use modern methods for propagation. Never before in the

history of religions has there been such effective ways: nobody can censor their information. But, what is powerful for good is also powerful for evil. ICT can help inter-religious understanding. It can also increase conflicts.

September 11 terrorism changes the world, including politics, economy and religions. For instance, books on Islam sells well because people want to know about the religion. On the other hand, there is misconception about terrorism linking with Islam whereas all regions including Islam are against terrorism.

Malaysian students of various races and religions in local and foreign
universities do not mix well. There is obvious polarization. We must look
into this. Hence, we insist on the Government forming an Inter-Religious
Council so that various religious groups can discuss matters that affect
their relationship. [In the last two years the Bar Council and Dr Chandra
Muzaffa have talked about this type of council.] For example, the council
can discuss the siting of places of worship, laws that concern religions and the promotion of religious understanding.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

 

 
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