SANDAKAN – Tuaran MP Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau has urged the government to establish a 24-hour hotline dedicated to receiving complaints about insults targeting faiths other than Islam.
Tangau, who is also emeritus president of the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation, emphasised the necessity of this move following the recent inauguration of a 24-hour hotline by the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) for reporting instances of insults against Islam, particularly on social media platforms.
He asserted that just as Jakim’s initiative sends a clear message that Islam cannot be subjected to insults or mockery, similar measures should be extended to safeguard other religions in Malaysia.
He further advocated for the establishment of another 24-hour hotline to address complaints related to insults targeting any faith apart from Islam.
“All belief systems, from Bahaism, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Taoism to animism and humanism, and all communities, regardless of their ethno-linguistic-cultural origin, lifestyle, and social status, must equally be protected from insults and ridicules too.
“Hence, I call for another 24-hour hotline to receive complaints about insults of any faith other than Islam, any ethnic group – Malays, Chinese, Indians, Momoguns (Kadazan, Dusuns, Muruts, Rungus), Dayaks, Bajau, Melanau, Suluk, Bugis, Senoi, Negrito, Proto Malays, Siamese, Kristangs, other indigenous and non-indigenous groups, language of any speakers, practitioners of any culture and lifestyle, so that every Malaysian can feel dignified and respected.
“Respect for every religion, heritage, language, culture, lifestyle, and identity is how we Sabahans and Sarawakians manage to live harmoniously and peacefully. It must be promoted nationwide, covering every human,” he said in a statement today.
Additionally, Tangau, who also serves as the chairman of the Wisdom Foundation, highlighted the necessity for a third 24-hour hotline to enable the public to report instances of incitement and promotion of violence, potentially leading to acts of domestic terrorism such as Molotov cocktails and other attacks.
He underscored the urgency of addressing speeches promoting violence and extreme hatred, deeming them more detrimental than verbal insults directed at belief systems and their adherents.
“I eagerly look forward to the announcement on this by National Unity Minister Datuk Seri Aaron Ago Dagang and director-general of the National Unity and Integration Department, Datuk Che Roslan Che Daud (on a hotline for religions other than Islam).
“I have confidence that Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil and Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) chairman Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din would agree with me that instigation and abetting violence is the greatest threat to law and order and must be stamped down with no less seriousness than the ban of the 3Rs (race, religion, and royalty),” he said.
He expressed confidence that Fahmi and Salim would recognise the imperative nature of addressing instigation and support for violence as the gravest threats to law and order, warranting uncompromising action.
Tangau emphasised the importance of establishing clear guidelines to ensure consistency and prevent double standards in law enforcement, as well as to mitigate the risk of abuse of the three hotlines.
Only through well-crafted guidelines can Malaysia effectively promote peace and quell underlying tensions, he said. – May 5, 2024