'Coalition of NGOs to UN biggest threat to Malaysia'

The involvement of a coalition of human rights NGOs in the United Nations' Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process is the "biggest threat" to Malaysia's sovereignty, according to Utusan Malaysiatoday.

In Awang Selamat's column today, which is believed to be a joint pseudonym of the daily's senior editors, it said that the Coalition of Malaysian NGOs in the UPR Process' (Comango) claims in the review panel would erode the position of Islam.

"It covers the issue of freedom of religion especially to make it easier to leave Islam (murtad); adopting the Western-style in issues of equality of race and religion; in addition to recognising homosexual activity, sodomy, and same-sex marriages.

"Awang is very disturbed because it is the biggest threat to our sovereignty," it said.

Under the UPR process, every UN member state is reviewed once every four and a half years. The state under review receives comments and recommendations from other states in relation to its human rights situation.

Malaysia is due for its review on Oct, where the report submitted early this year by the coalition of 54 NGOs will be among the documents considered.

A copy is available from the UN Human Rights High Commissioner's Office's website listed as "Joint Submission 1".

During its last review in 2009, Malaysia adopted 62 recommendations, rejected 22 recommendations, and reserved comment on 19 recommendations.

Awang also claimed that there are local NGOs feeding Comango with misinformation that contradicts with the federal constitution, cultural realities, and the history of Malaysian society.

"Awang hopes that the authorities would act swiftly including exposing the names of these traitors," it said.

It also commended the initiative of a delegation of Muslim NGOs heading to Geneva where the UPR will take place to defend Islamic interests in Malaysia.