WE, the members of G25, commend the Cabinet’s decision to dismiss the proposal to introduce guidelines by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar, which sought to regulate how Muslims participate in non-Muslim festivities and funerals, including their presence at non-Muslim houses of worship, with the aim of fostering “social and cultural” harmony, and respecting religious sensitivities during cultural events.
However, rather than fostering harmony, such directives risked doing the opposite by reinforcing segregation instead of encouraging mutual respect.
Harmony and respect are built on trust, understanding, and shared experiences, not on regulations that place unnecessary limitations on inter-faith and inter-cultural interactions. The withdrawal of these guidelines affirms that coexistence and diversity should be embraced rather than restricted. True social cohesion is nurtured through open engagement and dialogue, not prohibitions.
Many may have begun avoiding inter-religious or inter-cultural engagements altogether due to the hassle, scrutiny, and fear of violating such guidelines. This would have led to isolation and a reduction in inter-faith and inter-cultural understanding, weakening social bonds.
The fact that these proposals were even suggested gives the perception that our country is becoming increasingly insecure about Islam’s primary position in the nation’s social and political life. This is unfounded.
Islam is well-established as the religion of the Federation, and Malaysian Muslims are fully capable of discerning what is appropriate in accordance with their faith without the need for guidelines. The proposal of such guidelines is an insult to both the intelligence and faith of Muslims by assuming that we require constant supervision to uphold our beliefs.
It was also worrying that such guidelines might be perceived as casting aspersions on our non-Muslim communities as if, whenever they were to invite their Muslim neighbours and friends to their cultural or religious activities, they have the hidden agenda to propagate non-Muslim religions or to impose non-Muslim rituals on Muslims.
If we aspire to be a truly united Madani nation of citizens living in peace and harmony there must never ever be nurtured, albeit perhaps unintentionally, this irrational feeling of mistrust or suspicion among ourselves.
Moreover, the Federal Constitution guarantees fundamental liberties, including freedom of peaceful assembly under Article 10, which ensures that all Malaysians have the right to participate in lawful gatherings without undue restrictions. It is imperative that religious authorities respect these rights rather than seek to curtail them through unnecessary guidelines. All Malaysians, regardless of religion, must be free to engage in social and cultural events without fear of judgment or interference.
Furthermore, regulating activities at non-Muslim houses of worship would have only fuelled fears of government overreach into non-Muslim affairs.
Malaysia already has laws in place that prohibit proselytisation to Muslims, ensuring that concerns about maintaining faith are legally addressed. There was never a need for additional bureaucratic hurdles or religious approvals for non-Muslim houses of worship to organise social or cultural events.
From a practical standpoint, enforcing such regulations would have been virtually impossible. Events such as weddings and funerals, which often require urgent arrangements, would have overwhelmed entire departments, leading to inefficiency, delays, and unnecessary complications.
While we recognise the Cabinet’s decision to dismiss the proposal to introduce guidelines, we want to remind the government thatMalaysians do not need official directives to determine how we participate in social and cultural events, as we are fully capable of making our own decisions based on our personal beliefs. Any attempt to introduce new guidelines, whether advisory or otherwise, will only revive unnecessary controversy, disharmony, and public distrust.
Malaysia’s strength lies in its diversity, and we must continue to safeguard it. The Minister and JAKIM should always bear in mind that they can make Islam a unifying force in the country by making statements on religion that are constructive for nation building.
The Federal Constitution makes it clear that while Islam is the official religion of the country, Malaysia follows the international principles of law in our justice system.
We hope that moving forward, the government will continue to encourage open engagement, dialogue, and respect among all Malaysians, as this is the only way to build a truly united and progressive Malaysia Madani. – February 8, 2025
G25 Malaysia is a civil society organisation comprising influential Malay Malaysian who seek to play a constructive role as a voice of moderation.