BN lawmaker says NGO coalition’s demands against Islam, calls for probe

(Bernama) – The Registrar of Societies has been urged to investigate the status of 54 non-governmental organisations (NGO) under the Coalition of Malaysian Non-Governmental Organisations (Comango), which is planning to make demands which contradict Islam.

Datuk Raime Unggi (BN-Tenom) said the action was necessary to ascertain the NGOs concerned were registered bodies and to ensure they were not used as tools by Comango.

“The demands by Comango are not in line with our federal constitution, and their statements give a bad picture of Malaysia which can affect the country’s good name and its relations with other countries,” he said when debating the Supply Bill 2014 in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Raime also said the Malaysian Islamic Development Department should also investigate Sisters in Islam (SIS), which was also in the coalition.

“Comango clearly denies the role and existence of Muslims in the country… If SIS is in Comango, I urge Jakim to investigate,” he added.

He said immediate action should be taken against any efforts to undermine the country’s laws and Islam.

Last week, two backbenchers had criticised Comango over its plan to submit human rights issues involving Malaysia to the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva which they said were in conflict with the Federal Constitution.

Comango, which is preparing a report on human rights in Malaysia, is seeking, among others, the rights of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people, and religious freedom.

It also questions certain provisions in the Islamic Family law, claiming they discriminated women.

The Dewan Rakyat sitting continues on Wednesday.