PUTRAJAYA: The Cabinet will discuss today the new proposed guidelines for Muslims attending non-Muslim events or celebrations, says the Prime Minister.
“We will discuss that issue further in the Cabinet meeting,” Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said briefly when asked about his stand on the proposal requiring non-Muslims to seek approval from the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) before hosting events that Muslims may attend.
On Wednesday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar revealed that new guidelines are in the works to set out clear rules regarding the involvement of Muslims in non-Muslim festivities and funerals, as well as at non-Muslim houses of worship.
Concerned parties, including religious groups and MPs, said that such rulings could exacerbate religious divisions in the country.
On another matter, the Prime Minister said whistleblowers who go to the media first will not receive protection as that tends to supersede the investigation process.
He pointed out that it is also stated in the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 (Act 711) that whistleblowers should first lodge a report with the enforcement authorities.
“Whistleblowers should not go to the media first. There is a rational reason as everyone will then say that the (report) is the truth,” he said.
On Wednesday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said told the Dewan Rakyat that going to an enforcement agency must be the first step for whistleblowers.
She explained that this is to enable the enforcement agency to determine if the information given is essential.
“This means that they (whistleblowers) cannot go to the public domain and then afterwards want protection,” Azalina added.
However, human rights activist Kua Kia Soong had stated that many whistleblowers exposed major wrongdoings by going to the media after efforts to go through government channels were futile.
