The Catholic Lawyers’ Society Kuala Lumpur is issuing this Statement to record its shock and dismay at the remarks made by the Member of Parliament for Pasir Puteh, Dr. Nik Muhammad Zawawi Bin Haji Salleh recently in the Dewan Rakyat.

On 26 August 2020, while debating the Road Transport (Amendment) Bill 2020, the Member of Parliament stated that the “Kitab Injil ini dipesongkan ataupun diubah”.

All right-thinking members of the public would be outraged at such an assertion, especially at a time when our country is celebrating National Day and Malaysia Day.

Article 11 of the Federal Constitution guarantees the right of every person to profess and practise his or her religion in peace and harmony. So, most Malaysians would question whether, in 2020 Malaysia, it is acceptable, in Parliament, for a member of one faith to assert that the most holy Scriptures of another faith has been “dipesongkan ataupun diubah”.

The Catholic Lawyers’ Society holds the view that the Member of Parliament’s comments were insulting to all Christians, and that Parliament should now require the Member of Parliament to either apologise or withdraw his comments, so the record is clear that Parliament does not condone the Member of Parliament’s misuse of his right to freedom of speech. A failure to do so would be a setback to all efforts taken to promote the harmonious co-existence which Malaysians of all religions desire, and would be a black mark on the reputation of the Dewan Rakyat.

God bless our country, Malaysia.

Joseph s/o Lourdesamy

President
Catholic Lawyers’ Society Kuala Lumpur