A loose coalition of 13 Muslim groups are withholding support for the Bar Council-initiated interfaith commission proposal for fear of inflicting more harm than good to multi-racial and multi-religious Malaysia.

Baharuddeen Abu Bakar, a law lecturer at a public university in Kuala Lumpur, felt that there was no place for an initiative in its present form as a proposed statutory body.

"I don't feel a compelling need for such an initiative and I have my reservations based on the earlier developments over an interreligious council, as it was then known," he told malaysiakini in a telephone interview today.

He was asked for comments regarding an interfaith commission initiated and proposed by the Bar Council human rights sub-committee with the support of 40 non-governmental organisations.

A national conference scheduled for Feb 24 and 25 seeks to obtain feedback to fine-tune the draft bill before submission to the Attorney-General's Chambers.

Speaking as a concerned individual, Baharuddeen warned that such an initiative has the potential to be detrimental to all those concerned.

"To have such a body in statutory form is very ambitious and very dangerous. As it is now, the proponents are looking at the human rights orientation instead of a religious practice orientation."

'Anti-Islam'

Citing a memorandum produced by the Malaysian Consultative Council on Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism (MCCBCHS) in 2003, he alleged that the contents were "anti-Islam" in nature.

"It comprised complaints against Muslims and Islam. They (proponents) wanted Islamic teachings to be changed to their convenience, for example, why a Muslim cannot apostasise (renounce Islam).

"This can be quite infuriating when raised by non-Muslims. It is no longer a dialogue but an interference into the practice of Islam itself."

Citing the minutes of a recent Bar Council-led steering committee meeting, Baharuddeen said the thrust was clearly on the human rights aspect of religion which is different from the practice.

"I attended that meeting and felt that Muslims were being pitted against each other when there was only one representative each for the other religions.

"Furthermore, we already have an Islamic authority (within the government administration) to make binding decisions," he explained.

Baharuddeen said he had studied a copy of the draft bill and was not convinced with the provision stating that the body would not have adjudicative powers.

"A mechanism to adjudicate interreligious conflicts has always been on the mind of the proponents as seen in the MCCBCHS memorandum.

"This is why I would expect them to later use their political and intellectual lobby to make amendments when things don't work out the way they want it to," he said, describing the draft bill as a watered-down version of the earlier memorandum.

However, Baharuddeen said he preferred to see an interfaith initiative start on an informal basis by engaging the various parties in discussion.

"We're not against dialogue but it is the other things disguised as dialogue that worries us most.

Let's see if we can reach a consensus on an informal basis first."

Thorny issues

MCCBCHS president V Harcharan Singh defended the initiative by explaining that it was to provide a forum or platform to address thorny issues related to religion.

"It could be on anything ranging from religious, racial or social issues. The objective is to maintain peace and harmony in our country. The proposed commission would be wide enough to cover everything," he said when contacted.

"I know that Muslim groups will not be attending the national conference because they are afraid of it having adjudicative powers but this matter has been categorically explained.

"I think it is a grave misunderstanding or more of a willful perception by them because this point has never been on the cards at all."

Harcharan said the draft bill was very specific about the powers of the proposed commission.

"Those with concerns should read the draft bill and attend the national conference to give their feedback on the matter instead of staying away from it, which does not serve the purpose here.

"We have categorically stated that there is no question of making any pronouncements or adjudicating on related matters. The body will only make recommendations."

Anyway, he said, the commission was still a proposal and will have to go through the government before being tabled, if at all.

"Now is the time to give your views since we are all raising our heartfelt concerns. It is up to the government to accept or reject the proposal," he said, adding that all Muslim groups should ideally participate in the feedback process.

Echoing Baharuddeen's views is the Kuala Lumpur-based Allied Coordinating Committee of Islamic NGOs (Accin), a loose coalition of Muslim groups opposed to the proposal.

Its secretary Danial Hakim Boey said the 13 members have unanimously agreed not to participate in the national conference.

"Actually, we are all for the setting up of a inter-religious group but what we disagree with is for it to be a body with adjudicative powers," he said.

"Also, I don't see why the Bar Council (human rights sub-committee) is involved here. What does it have to do with an interfaith commission?"

Appropriate proposal

Malaysian Interfaith Network (MIN) pro tem coordinator Dr John R Gurusamy said the proposal was timely and appropriate.

"There is a need for Malaysia to lead the way for greater interreligious understanding with a model interfaith commission," he said, noting that the preferred model is that proposed by the Bar Council.

"In line with our motto, we are currently promoting the golden rule of 'treat others as you would like to be treated'."

John, a member of the Bar Council steering committee finalising the draft bill and the Selangor MCCBCHS chairperson, was at the Company Registrar today to register the MIN, whose pro tem chair is Anwar Fazal.

The MIN is a loose grouping of 40 individuals including Muslims who have been meeting informally and discussing related matters.