Interfaith Harmony Division Can Handle Non Muslim Affairs Says Minister

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National unity minister Aaron Ago Dagang said he chairs the interfaith harmony committee together with religious affairs minister Na’im Mokhtar.
KUALA LUMPUR: All non-Muslim religious affairs will be handled by the interfaith harmony division (BKAPA) under the national unity ministry, says Aaron Ago Dagang.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Harmony Trail programme, held in conjunction with the World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW), the national unity minister said the division has been around for a long time, Berita Harian reported
Aaron said as such, there is no need for a non-Muslim religious affairs portfolio in the Cabinet, as suggested recently by a government backbencher.
“The various divisions under the ministry can handle non-Muslim religious affairs as will the various religious representatives.
“Besides BKAPA, the unity issues management committee also handles sensitive issues pertaining to religion,” he was quoted as saying.
Aaron said he also chairs the interfaith harmony committee together with (Islamic) religious affairs minister Na’im Mokhtar.
“If any issues arise, we will have a meeting to discuss what actions can be taken and explain the situation to the public,” he added.
Previously, Raub MP Chow Yu Hui suggested that the religious affairs portfolio be split into two separate ones for Muslim and non-Muslim affairs.
The DAP MP said several states, including Penang, Perak and Negeri Sembilan, have long had committees for non-Muslim religious affairs and urged the federal government to implement something similar.
Chow said this following the controversy that arose from the proposed guidelines for Muslims regarding non-Muslim religious festivals.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah have said there is no need for such guidelines. - FMT

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