Interfaith dialogue undermined by Putrajaya’s inaction on hate speech, say observers
(TMI) – What is the use of interfaith dialogues, no matter their effectiveness, if Putrajaya keeps silent on hate speech that seems to be the order of the day among some segments of society, politicians and observers ask.
Civil society leaders and politicians mooting interfaith talks warned that the silence and inaction, or selective action, by authorities against those spewing hate speech, posed an even greater threat to harmony.
Their concerns are triggered by the recent spate of racial and religious tensions in the country, centred on anti-Christian and anti-Chinese sentiments.
They said although there was no great danger of ethnic clashes breaking out, there is a need for political leaders to restrain those making hate speech in the name of religion.
They also said that alongside interfaith dialogue, there was a need for a formal dialogue mechanism that brings together leaders of different faiths to discuss issues on a regular basis.
Religious tension was raised several notches over the past weeks by Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia’s (Isma) Chinese-bashing statements, as well as a seminar held in Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) earlier this month at which speakers demonised Christianity.
Isma had described Malaysian Chinese as “trespassers”, and also called for hudud, or the Islamic penal code, to be imposed on non-Muslims as well, besides warning of a Jewish-led threat against Malays and Islam in Malaysia.
Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria (pic, left), the secretary-general of rights group Association for the Promotion of Human Rights (Proham), said he was more concerned that some politicians and political parties were taking a myopic or short-term view of the current religious and racial tensions.
He said there was a real need for the leaders of the country to act in fairness and moderation based on the Federal Constitution, in order to foster harmony and unity among the people.
