Proposed Bill to restrict propagation of doctrine, religion among Muslims and Act 355 will not affect non-Muslims, Parliament told

KUALA LUMPUR: The proposed Bill to restrict propagation of doctrine and religion among Muslims and the Amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) - also known as Act 355 - will not impact on the religious rights of non-Muslims, says Idris Ahmad.

The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) assured the Dewan Rakyat that the Bills were only meant for Muslims.

"Actually, the Bill is to restrict propagation of doctrine and religion among Muslims only.

"The Bill is not aimed at restricting religious freedom among non-Muslims.

"Non-Muslims are free to propagate their faiths among themselves but not among Muslims," he said in reply to a supplementary question from Fong Kui Lun (PH-Bukit Bintang) during Question Time.

Fong had asked the government to explain the need to have such laws and whether it would impede the religious rights of

non-Muslims as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (Pasir Mas-PAS) in his supplementary question had also asked how the federal administration will counter the suspicion cast on the Bills by non-Muslims who fear that they will be affected and that it may lead to the perception of "Talibanisation of Malaysia”.

To this, Idris said that these Bills do not involve the non-Muslims as they only focus on Muslims.

To the initial question, Idris said that a series of meetings had been conducted to fine-tune the Bills so it will be more comprehensive and in line with the Federal Constitution.

"After RUU355 and the restriction Bill (RUU Kawalan) are finalised, both will be tabled at the state level at a conference held from Oct 12 and 14," he said.