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The Malaysian Bar welcomes the announcement, reported in this week’s press, that the Cabinet has agreed to the establishment of an interfaith body that will make recommendations, with respect to issues of religious harmony, for its consideration.

We have consistently urged the Government to take steps to promote avenues for engagement and discussion and to enable an open exchange of views, in order to foster greater understanding of differing viewpoints.  The long-awaited formation of this mechanism is a positive first step to strengthen national unity, and we are optimistic that it will facilitate the process of resolving disputes. 

Although the Malaysian Bar advocates an aggrieved individual’s unfettered right to seek redress in a court of law, we recognise that in some complex matters, a court decision may not produce the best solution, as the powers of a court, and what it can achieve, are limited.  A court interprets the law, and applies the law to the facts of a particular case, but certain issues require more, and would be more effectively resolved outside of the courts, through healthy dialogue and constructive debate.

We remain firm in our view that the most effective and progressive way of resolving disputes is to promote dialogue and an understanding of dissenting views amongst all the parties involved, regardless of how complex the issue is.

We call on the Government to reveal details regarding the body’s composition, scope and methodology of work.

Ragunath Kesavan
President
Malaysian Bar

7 April 2010