The Sarawak Evangelical Christian Association says it is a violation of the right to freedom of religion as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
The Sarawak Evangelical Christian Association says the Sarawak way of life, where everyone lives peacefully with each other, regardless of race and religion, must be preserved. (Blogspot pic)
PETALING JAYA: The Sarawak Evangelical Christian Association (Seca), an alliance of evangelical churches and organisations in Sarawak, has expressed disappointment over the recent Federal Court’s decision that apostasy cases should be heard in the shariah courts.
Saying it was troubled over the decision, Seca said it was a violation of the right to freedom of religion, as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
“We see the unfair and unjust treatments of the four appellants in their studious attempts to exercise their right to the freedom of religion in the state.
“Though respecting the Federal Court’s decision, we see the roadblocks to conversion tantamount to violation of the unique nature of freedom of religion, granted to the people of Sarawak as a condition for us to form the federation, as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
“We are alarmed by the threat to the fabric of peace-loving relationships that we have fostered among Sarawakians over centuries; and a real fear of it being destroyed by inappropriate management of emotions,” Seca said in a statement issued in Kuching today.
The apex court had ruled on Feb 27 that there were provisions in the Majlis Islam Sarawak Ordinance pertaining to the powers of the Sarawak shariah courts on matters of apostasy.
Court of Appeal president Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin said the court unanimously reached the decision to dismiss an appeal by four Sarawakians for the civil courts to hear their apostasy cases as it had no merit.
He said even though there were no provisions on apostasy, there were provisions on matters of conversion to Islam, which implied that the Sarawak shariah courts had jurisdiction over apostasy cases.
Since the judgment, the issue had been widely debated by politicians and the people in Sarawak.
Chief Minister Abang Johari Tun Openg said in a statement that as the Federal Court had given its decision, further action had to be taken.
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also home minister, said he left it to the state government to settle the issue.
Sarawak Islamic Council deputy president Juanda Jaya said the initiative undertaken by Abang Johari to rectify the “hanging” situation was an appropriate step which should be supported as it was aimed at avoiding conflicts and to provide a solution to the sensitive issue, particularly in Sarawak.
Seca also expressed concern over the attempted attack on the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kuching Archdiocese Simon Poh as he left the premises of the Federal Court after the decision.
“The big question we need to answer is how could we, the people of Sarawak (in all segments of our society — religious, civil, and government — who have been zealously guarding our way of life), allow the religious tension to escalate to such a boiling point that it expressed itself in the incident in question.”
Seca said it was important to preserve the Sarawak way of life and one or two incidents should not be allowed to derail the people’s aspiration for future generations.
“No single race and/or religious group can realise this dream on its own in the multiracial society of Sarawak.
“Pursuing a course that overtly benefits one race and/or religious group over the others or at the expense of others will not bring about the harmonious life desired in our state.
“We need all the people of all races and religions to come together to work towards this dream.
“What the people of Sarawak do next in response to the courthouse incident is vital as it will determine how we and our future generations will live with one another.
“If we need to revisit the Malaysia Agreement and consider other factors relevant to keeping our way of life, let us do so together,” it said.
Seca appealed to people of all races and religions to come together to hold dialogues and find a path forward.
“We hope religious leaders and the government will lead the way.
“The Sarawak Evangelical Christian Association is committed to playing an active role to preserve the unique peace and harmony in our beloved Sarawak.”
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