Islamic missionary work, or dakwah , should not be curbed in Sarawak as it is constitutional and does not compel those on the receiving end to convert to Islam, said the PAS Ulama wing.

Responding to a DAP parliamentarian, the wing's information chief Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali said that all Malaysians have the right to learn more about Islam.

"Islamic missionary work is a universal call for the good of all mankind and grace for the entire world, without any compulsion.

"Malaysians who are not yet Muslim have the right to learn about Islam and covert willingly without compulsion," he said.

The Kuala Nerus MP (left) said that the federal constitution does not bar Muslims from preaching to non-Muslims, including through charity organisations.

Debating the budget speech in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday, DAP's Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen said that a Muslim NGO had gone to a village in Sri Aman to run an "adoption" ( anak angkat ) campaign.

He claimed that the programme is aimed at converting the children from Christianity to Islam.

Malaysiakini earlier also reported that Christians in Belaga complained of being offered RM6,000 to convert to Islam, through a 'goodwill and welfare' programme.

There are fears of attempts to convert non-Muslim children in schools in Sarawak.

Ulama wants action for bible burning threat

Meanwhile, Khairuddin said that PAS Ulama agrees with Chong that Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali should be punished for urging others to burn the Bible.

"Such religious extremism, expressed in an emotional and irrational manner should not happen in Malaysia," he said.

He also shared Chong's "disappointment" that Sarawak has been sidelined in terms of progress.

"PAS Ulama also demands that the government give Sarawak its rights to 20 percent oil royalty.

"This the same as the right of Kelantan and Terengganu to royalty to oil mined from off the shores," he said.

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