Persatuan Hindraf Malaysia urges BN and Pakatan governments to join hands in curbing Islamic authorities.
The latest case of a Seremban 14-year-old school boy who attempted suicide allegedly for fear of being taken away by Muslim religious authorities and put in a torturous ordeal needs a serious overhaul in the mindset of politicians from both political divide.
The association is appalled that alleged religious extremism amongst Muslim authorities in this country has reached a point that we could describe it as “destructive” to the well-being and spirit of co-existence of the various races and religious groups in the country.
It appears very clearly the leaders of the country right from the prime minister, the respective chief ministers and menteris besar, Parliament, attorney-general and the inspector-general of police are no longer in control of the these religious bodies which seem to be acting beyond their jurisdiction and powers.
There seem to be a disturbing silence amongst Muslim leaders from both BN and Pakatan Rakyat who dare not put the Muslim authorities under the control of federal as well as the state governments.
From the time of the amendment to Article 121 (1) (a) of the federal constitution in 1988, the Muslim authorities in Malaysia seem to have usurped new uncontrollable power and they act as a body above and beyond the provisions of the constitution.
There are strings of cases right from M Moorthy. Shamala, M Indira Gandhi, S Banggarama, S Deepa (and the list goes on) where the state Muslim authorities have allegedly acted ultra vires the constitution and bullied non-Muslims into submission to Muslim Syariah laws.
What is more disturbing is that the police and the Attorney general’s Office seem to be condoning this unlawful act and seemed to have given the Muslim authorities tacit support in their pursuit to implement a Muslim hegemony in a secular Malaysia.
Leading into a dangerous path
Enough injustice has been perpetrated against the non-Muslim community in Malaysia. Persatuan Hindraf Malaysia cautions the government that Malaysia is leading into a dangerous path if the Muslim authorities are not controlled.
We urge Muslim political leaders from both sides of the divide to be bold enough to speak up as a fellow human being for the rights of the minorities and take responsibility to correct the religious persecution against non-Muslims. BN and Pakatan leaders in their respective states must put the religious bodies under control for we fear inaction would lead to an eventual violent reaction.
G Thiyaggurudeen must have gone through great ordeal for him to have attempted to take away his life. He is currently warded at the Seremban General Hospital after having taken paraquat, a weed killer, and is suffering from great pain and fighting for his life. From his hospital bed, he is reported to have told his father he was worried he would be taken away by the state Muslim authorities and be put in a torturous ordeal again.
He was previously locked up in an Islamic missionary centre in Negri Sembilan until he was rescued by his father. It is reported he was converted by a Muslim teacher at school and was later taken away by the Islamic authorities who are reported to have forced him to lodge a false report against his father.
It will not be surprising if the father within the next few days makes a U-turn in his allegations against the Islamic authorities as we believe he would be intimidated by the state Muslim machinery.
P WAYTHAMOORTHY is chair, Persatuan Hindraf Malaysia.
