Several muftis have voiced dissenting opinions on the proposal to review and enhance existing laws to deter individuals and irresponsible parties from insulting Islam and Prophet Muhammad.
Pahang Mufti Abdul Rahman Osman opined that the existing laws are adequate for empowering authorities to take stern action against those involved.
“There are actually many laws (to contain it). I think the existing laws are enough,” he told Malaysiakini.
Abdul Rahman was responding to Penang Mufti Wan Salim Wan Mohd’s call to review and enhance the existing laws to deter individuals and irresponsible parties from insulting Islam and Prophet Muhammad.
Wan Salim made the call after a video went viral on social media platforms, showing a man allegedly uttering derogatory remarks against Allah and Prophet Muhammad.
Elaborating his views, Abdul Rahman said what is important now is stricter enforcement by authorities in all 14 states against individuals who insult Prophet Muhammad and the Islamic religion.
‘Enforcement is important’
“What is important now is enforcement. That means (authorities) must be firmer, and when (an offence) is read in any one state in Malaysia, it means it has taken place in all states.
“That means all states can take the same action to enforce (the law),” Abdul Rahman added.
His views were echoed by Johor Mufti Yahya Ahmad, who believes strict enforcement will instil fear in the public and deter a recurrence of the incident.
“I agree with the Pahang mufti that the same laws should be enforced more effectively and involve all parties,” he told Malaysiakini.
At the same time, Yahya said legal action should be a last resort once gentler measures have been tried.
"This issue (of religious insults) needs to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. That means viewing the situation to see if it is because of a mental problem. If it involves mental problems, it needs to be handled through psychiatric treatment.
“Or it may involve family problems, broken families, economic problems due to loss of employment, debt burden and the various problems that can crop up these days.
“These issues need to be given attention before legal action is taken against them,” Yahya said.
If the intent is to be provocative, such as by dividing Muslims or insulting religion, then appropriate action must be taken.
Even then, Yahya added, there should also be education and understanding to show the beauty of Islam.
On July 13, Siti Nuramira Abdullah was charged for allegedly causing enmity and ill-will through her controversial comedy act that supposedly insulted Islam, while her boyfriend Alexander Navin Vijayachandran was accused of the same for uploading a video of the act onto social media platforms. Both have claimed trial to their charges.
On July 18, a 35-year-old was arrested at Kampung Bagan Chekok in Pulai Chondong, Kelantan, after allegedly admitting to uploading a video that made insulting remarks toward Prophet Muhammad.
Yesterday, a 59-year-old was remanded on suspicion of insulting Islam through an audio recording that was disseminated through WhatsApp recently. - Mkini
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