KUCHING: The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia, Jakim’s call to prohibit interfaith prayers is not applicable in Sarawak.
State Reform Party (STAR) president Lina Soo, said this is because Islam is under State List II – State List (1) of the Ninth Schedule Part III of the Federal Constitution where Islamic affairs come under the jurisdiction of the state.
“As a state matter, Sarawak has its own religious institutions and organisations to govern the constitution, organisation and procedures for Islamic law and doctrine for Muslims in Sarawak,” she said in a statement yesterday.
She said Jakim’s statements are irrelevant to Sarawak as far as the law is concerned.
“Sarawak has its own legitimate rights which the federal government must respect,” she stressed.
She pointed out that Sarawak’s multi-religious and multi-cultural communities have always practised their religious faiths peacefully and harmoniously without issue.
“We respect and uphold unity in diversity, and we do not welcome Malaya’s futile attempt to export their race and religious politics to divide the people of Sarawak,” added Soo.
Meanwhile, Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen said Sarawak must not use the directive issued by the National Unity and Integration Department (JPNIN) to forbid Muslims and non-Muslims from praying or reciting their prayers together in a function.
“Constitutionally, Sarawak is also in a position not to comply with JPNIN’s directive,” he said in a press statement yesterday on the directive issued on the advice of the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim).
Chong pointed out that it has never been an issue in Sarawak to have interfaith gatherings or to have followers of different religions reciting their prayers together in any function.
“In fact, this is the hallmark of Sarawak’s religious harmony,” he stated adding that this directive of JPNIN would only bring about more racial and religious segregation therefore was not conducive to racial harmony in the state.
“On this account, Sarawak PH supports the Sarawak state government’s decision to simply ignore the directive and maintain our current practices,” Chong said.
The directive was reportedly issued on Tuesday (September 3).
