The proposal by the Bar Council to establish an inter-religious council to look into conflicts involving different faiths should be supported by all quarters, a Gerakan leader said today.

Gerakan vice-president Dr S Vijayaratnam said in a statement that the formation of such a council is an appropriate, timely and commendable move, especially in addressing problems of religious extremism that has manifested in the country.

"The preservation of religious and racial harmony is crucial, and imperative in the attainment of Bangsa Malaysia," he said.

He added that an inter-religious council should have representatives from all major religions in the country.

"There currently exists a consultative council of Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism, but the absence of Islamic participation to a great extent limits its effectiveness," Vijayaratnam said.

The Bar Council said on Saturday that it will push for the establishment of an inter-religious council as there was a need for religious organisations to have a candid and open dialogue on religious issues no matter how prickly they are to some parties.

The council is expected to comprise religious associations and non-governmental organisations.

Delicate matters

Vijayaratnam stated that society is often confronted with delicate matters involving parties from different religions, and because of existing legislation, seeking suitable solutions becomes difficult and sometimes sensitive.

He added that the issue of compulsion, in any religion, is another cause for distress.

"Such matters have to be discussed in an open and rational manner, as besides involving personal freedom, it affects that of others as well," he said.

It would do well to recognise that such freedoms are guaranteed by the Federal Constitution, he said.