Minister: Anti-propagation bill is for FT only

 

Putrajaya's new bill to prevent the spread of non-Muslim religious belief among Muslims is only applicable to the Federal Territories.

Islamic Affairs Minister Idris Ahmad said once the bill is passed, the Federal Territories will have laws similar to that of 10 other states.

He said that the law will not infringe Article 11 of the Federal Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion.

The new bill, he said, was necessary, in view of Article 11(4) which requires a law to curb the propagation of non-Muslim religious belief among Muslims specific to each state or Federal Territory.

"For other states which have not enacted such laws, the matter has to be decided by their respective legislative assemblies," Idris said in a statement today to clarify the confusion of the soon-to-be tabled bill.

Three days ago, Idris' deputy Ahmad Marzuk Shaary said that the government was drafting several new syariah laws, including the anti-propagation bill.

This had led to concerns by non-Muslim religious groups who sought clarity from Putrajaya.

Apart from the Federal Territories, the only regions that do not have state-level anti-propagation enactments are Penang, Sabah and Sarawak.

So far, Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor has said that his government does not plan to enact such laws.

He said this was necessary to maintain harmony in Sabah. - Mkini