Orang Asli animists to be part of govt’s inter-religious committee

The government says it will appoint one or two Orang Asli members to represent animism in its inter-faith committee.

PUTRAJAYA: Members of the Orang Asli community will be appointed to the 2020-2021 session of the Committee for the Promotion of Inter-Religious Understanding and Harmony among Adherents (JKMPKA), said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, P Waytha Moorthy.

Waytha, who is in charge of the National Unity and Social Wellbeing portfolio, said one to two places will be allocated for the community.

He said the Malaysian government has to recognise believers of animism.

The committee’s 2018-2019 session comprises 32 members, representing the Islamic, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Taoist, Sikh and Bahai religions, along with academics, youths and representatives from Sabah and Sarawak.

The minister said that his team would make a special request to the finance ministry for a budget to be allocated to the committee to enable it to play a more active role in addressing various issues.

On the proposed National Harmony and Reconciliation Commission, Waytha said he expects the legislation providing for its establishment to be ready early next year. - FMT