The Malaysian Consultative Council on Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taosim (MCCBCHST) has criticised Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin for singling out non-Muslims on grounds that they allegedly insulted Islam.

“The MCCBCHST is shocked by what seems to be an unwarranted accusation against all non-Muslims by no less than the deputy prime minister of Malaysia, said MCCBCHST president Sardar Jagir Singh in a joint statement today.

He was referring to Muhyiddin’s statement in Bernama on July 30 where he said Muslims did not insult the religions of non-Muslims but non-Muslims have gone about insulting Islam.

Jagir said that there had been only one such incident involving bloggers Alvin Tan and Vivian Lee but stern action was taken against their “immature, reprehensible and irresponsible” behaviour.

Similarly, he added that Muslims had also insulted the religion of non-Muslims with Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali urging the burning of Bibles and the Perkasa vice-chief mocking Hindu deities.

Worst, Jagir said no action whatsoever was taken against them nor were there any statements from the government reprimanding the duo.

“Surely the Christian and Hindu protests against such issues raised by Muslims cannot be deemed to be insulting Islam.

“As such, we would hope that the deputy prime minister of all Malaysians, when reprimanding about ‘insulting religion’, would have included all who have done so.

“This must include some Muslims and not single out just non-Muslims or approximately 40 percent of the citizens of Malaysia over such accusations,” he said.

'Sweeping statement'

He said Muhyiddin should put his statement into perspective - that all sorts of Malaysians of various religion have insulted each other, but their numbers are small.

Jagir added that Muhyiddin’s “sweeping statement” was possibly incendiary, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, where Muslims’ consciousness is heightened.

“Who will get provoked into a reaction? No one can predict this but we pray nothing will happen,” he said.

He added that in this holy month of Ramadan, it would be best that the focus be on reconciliation, making peace, and living in harmony.

The MCCBCHST statement was also signed by vice-presidents Daozhang Tan, Elder Kong, RS Mohan Shan and secretary-general Prematilaka KD Serisena. 

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