The proposed interfaith commission could be a setback to religious unity and harmony if it is implemented, according to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Reiterating his stance on postponing its formation, Abdullah said today that his government would have to take into consideration public views as reflected in the debate in the media.

"This (postponement) is not a setback...if we form the commission, it could be a setback," he told the Dewan Rakyat during the question-and-answer session.

"We have to take into account the different levels of sensitivity among the people...we are not at the same level," he said in response to a question from Parliamentary Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timor).

Lim had asked if postponement of the commission could be a setback to religious unity and harmony since it was only intended to be an advisory body, and would not have legislative power to intervene in religious matters.

Abdullah said, that based on his previous meetings with religious groups, there is already cordial discussion of issues.

"(Setting up) the commission may result in complications arising, rather than achieving inter-religious understanding," he noted.

Bill studied

Abdullah also said he had studied the draft bill on the interfaith commission which was sent to him recently and that he was willing to meet with the steering committee behind the proposal.

"It is not a problem for me to meet them, it is just a matter of time," he told the House.

Copies of the bill, the plenary statement and the relevant appendices were also sent to his deputy Najib Abdul Razak, Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail, Ministers in the Prime Minister's Department Dr Maximus Ongkili (national unity) and Dr Abdullah Md Zin (Islamic affairs).

The plenary statement was drafted after two days of discussion of the draft bill by over 200 participants late last month. The national conference, however, was boycotted by representatives of mainstream Muslim groups.

The proposal was co-ordinated by the Bar Council human rights sub-committee after holding a workshop on the initiative in 2003.

Abdullah had earlier called for the proposal to be deferred and suggested more interfaith dialogues instead. He also reportedly advised the proponents against raising contentious issues which could "arouse uneasiness among multi-religious Malaysians".

When opening the two-day national conference, former de facto law minister Dr Rais Yatim had said the initiative would be good for national harmony and unity.

He described the gathering as a "milestone event" and said groups and individuals opposed to the proposed commission should not pre-judge the initiative.

Asked for his comment on the premier's statement today, Rais - now culture, arts and heritage minister - urged the proponents to continue initiating efforts pending maturity of thought on such matters.

"I think we should continue with inter-religious discussions. Every religious leader should come forward and exchange ideas with one another. The fact that we have not established the commission doesn't mean we should stop talking," he told malaysiakini.

"The commission is actually a legal framework but there are so many other frameworks that you can work within, which is not being done. So let's us build the framework within non-legal entities first...then we (will) arrive at a harmonious position."