©Malay Mail (Used by permission)
KUALA LUMPUR, April 20 — The Federal Constitution would be “worthless” if the right to freedom of religion is restricted on the basis that people will be confused by another faith, the Malaysian Bar said today in condemning a protest against a cross on a church’s facade.
Malaysian Bar president Steven Thiru said that yesterday’s protest that led to the church in Taman Medan, Petaling Jaya taking down the cross could indicate Malaysia’s descent to extremism, as intolerance that denies civil liberties indicates a deterioration in the rule of law.
“The fundamental right to freedom of religion under Article 11(1) read with Article 3(1) of the Federal Constitution to practise one’s religion of choice in peace cannot be restricted or abrogated on the basis that some persons may be purportedly confused or others are allegedly influenced,” Steven said in a statement.
“Such a narrow or myopic interpretation of our constitutional fundamental liberties should be rejected as it reduces our Constitution to a worthless piece of paper. It also serves to polarise and segregate us a people,” the chief of the professional legal body added.
Article 11(1) of the Federal Constitution states that everyone has the right to profess, practise and propagate their faith, but non–Muslims may be prohibited from proselytising to Muslims.
Article 3(1) of the Federal Constitution states that Islam is the religion of the federation, but other religions may be practised in peace and harmony.
Local daily The Star reported yesterday that about 50 residents at the Malay–majority Taman Medan staged a protest against a new church located at shop lot after a cross was erected on the church’s facade, claiming that it challenged Islam and could influence younger minds.
Steven urged the authorities to ensure that constitutional rights are respected and minority rights protected.
“These rights should not hinge on the actions of irresponsible persons that cause disunity and disharmony,” he said.
Inspector–General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar, however, said today that there was no criminal or seditious element in the protest, claiming it was not about Christianity but about the location of the church.
Steven also urged the authorities to provide sufficient space to build places of worship, noting that using commercial buildings for such purposes has become increasingly common.
“This concern has not been properly addressed, and remains an impediment to the freedom of religion of minority communities,” said the lawyer.
Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said last July that churches currently operating out of shop lots in the national capital may soon see their commercial land titles converted to religious land.
Disputes over the location of houses of worship have been a recurring affair, particularly in the Klang Valley where there is rapid commercial development over increasingly scarce land.