I WELCOME the recent Cabinet decision not to make Halal certification as compulsory for all restaurants as being in line with Article 3 of the Federal Constitution.
The Federal Constitution should be the highest guiding principle for any government policies.
I urge all political parties and leaders to respect the Federal Constitution as the Supreme Law of the country including Article 3 that guarantees the freedom of religion while Islam remains as the official religion.
Article 3 also states that matters pertaining to religion are administered by a Council set up by the Malay Rulers under the advice of the Prime Minister.
To avoid further malignant provocations and politicking with race and religion issues, Article 3 has to be reinstated with a more progressive interpretation that the Malay Rulers are not only the protector for Malay muslims, but they also act as the protector for all faiths in order to preserve the inter-racial and inter-religious harmony in the country.
I urge the opposition parties, especially Perikatan Nasional, to abide by the Federal Constitution and the rule of law by avoiding flaming racial and religious issues and go against the rule of law that would divide the nation.
I also urge Umno Youth Chief Akmal Salleh not only to apologise to Teresa Kok personally and settle the disagreement and legal battle amicably, but he also needs to apologise to all Malaysians for failing to grasp the truth and respect the Constitutional rights of believers of all other religions and unite all Malaysians, in order to show a more mature leadership as one of the country’s potential future leaders, and to avoid repeating dark politics of the past.
The Cabinet’s decision not to make Halal certification for non-pork selling eateries mandatory proves that Teresa Kok’s concerns over the matter were based on the rule of law and the constitutional rights of all Malaysians, and her views reflect the concerns from all walks of life as the people, including both Malay and non-Malay small businesses, are facing economic hardship. Racial and religious bigotries have further jeopardised economic recovery .
Akmal Salleh should apologise categorically to all Malaysians for his failure to acknowledge the Malay Rulers powers in administering religious matters and the protection of freedom of religion in this country in order to salvage Barisan Nasional from a negative mood among the voters in Mahkota affecting their turnout in the upcoming by-election.
Malaysians should not be bogged down by inflammatory racist and fanatic bigotries in order for the country to move forward as an advanced nation. Therefore, there is a need to uphold the Federal Constitution and the rule of law. – September 22, 2024
Dr. Boo Cheng Hau is Johor DAP State Committee member
