PM: Islam the official religion and that can’t be changed
(Bernama) – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said everyone must accept the fact that Islam is the official religion of the country and that it cannot be changed in whatever form.
“This is because the reality is that we have the Federal Constitution and its provision on the position of Islam and the other religions is very clear,” Najib told the media after meeting with 22 Muslim leaders and intellectuals, here today.
“Under whatever circumstances, the Federal Constitution cannot be amended and as such, no one should be worried or feel uneasy on this matter,” he said.
Najib said that during his hour-long meeting with the Muslim leaders, several current issues were discussed including the issue on “changing” the official religion of the country as reported earlier.
“I normally meet with the Muslim leaders from time to time. But under the present circumstances, it is most important for me to meet this group and we again discuss the issue as well as other things,” he said.
He said that at the meeting, the Muslim leaders also concurred that it was important to preserve harmony, peace and prosperity in the country.
As such, he said everyone must control their emotion and not do anything that could jeopardise the peace, harmony and prosperity prevailing in the country.
“They also reached a consensus that the people should be given a guarantee that the government is tackling the matter wisely and will not allow it to destroy what we have built in our country especially in terms of inter-religious harmony,” he said.
Asked what action would be taken against those who continue to exploit the issue, Najib said: “Firstly, whatever they want to do, it will not change the fact (that Islam is the country’s official religion). Reality cannot be altered.”
He said the authorities also could certainly take action against those who tried to exploit the issue to the extent that national harmony could be jeopardised.
“We don’t want any action taken by any group that will violate the country’s regulations and law because of utmost importance is the peace and harmony prevailing in our country,” he said
Asked whether this advice was directed at any particular leader, Najib said: “The advice is directed at everyone that we must reject extremist ideology and extremism. It is regardless (of any group).”
Najib said that the harmony and peace prevailing in Malaysia had made it into a role model which everyone out there should be proud of and it must be preserved.
Among the Muslim leaders and intellectuals who were present were Perak State Mufti Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria; chairman of the Islamic Religious Education and Coordination advisory board Tan Sri Dr Mohd Yusof Noor; and chairman of the National Fatwa Council Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Abdul Shukor Husin. — Bernama
