The Malaysian Insight

MATTERS concerning the Islamic faith should be left solely to the Malay rulers and not to the  government, said lawyer Siti Kasim.

“Leave religion to the sultans because that is under their purview, not under the federal government. The federal government is to manage the country,” she told the Whither Maruah Malaysia 2.0 forum in Kuala Lumpur, today.

Former Bar Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan, academician Lim Teck Ghee, former MP Tawfik Tun Ismail, academician Tajuddin Rasdi, MCA vice-president Senator Ti Lian Ker, columnist Johan Arriffin Samad and PKR Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How also spoke at the forum.

Siti, who is Bar Council Orang Asli committee chairman, said Malaysia’s policies on religion appeared increasingly “racist and exclusivist”. 

“We are by any measure today one if not the most racist and religiously bigoted nation on earth. Which other nation reserves 90% of publicly funded university places for one race? (There is) even one that is 100% exclusive to only one race.”

She said Malays made up almost 80% of the civil service: “Which other nation on earth today has such disproportionate and institutionalised policies on race compared to its actual population demographics (except for) Malaysia? Where is the dignity in that?”

“Where is the dignity in funding a single religion’s affairs using taxpayers’ funds when our own constitution mandates that others of different religions must never be compelled to fund those that are not theirs? 

“Where is the dignity in not allowing ordinary human beings to practise their religion of choice in their own way (and compelling them to obey) what is gazetted by law in accordance to so-called muftis and majlis ulamak of the state?

“Nothing in my Quran has ever mandated such a practice. Where is the dignity in forcing others to follow your version of religion?”

She said although Malaysia was born in the 20th century, it had yet to let go of the “worst instincts of colonisation and divisions.”

“Where we could have allowed everyone of us to be equal in citizenry, and slowly ensure that the last 60 years the divisions of race and religion do not define our society, we have actually managed to make them the very feature of our society.”

Siti said despite being discriminated against, the Orang Asli appeared be more dignified than other communities.

“I know a bit about ‘maruah’ (dignity) especially after spending years with our Orang Asli or Orang Asal in this country. When you have lived among them, in the midst of the rainforests like the Temiars and Bateks do, watching them raise their family, with and from nothing, you will come to appreciate dignity like never before.”

“What it tells you is that, we, all of humanity, are born with dignity. And that dignity is equal and innate to our being.” – October 25, 2019.