Previously, we shared the proposal by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Raub, Chow Yu Hui, in the Dewan Rakyat for the religious affairs portfolio under the Prime Minister’s Department to be split in two with the creation of a minister to oversee non-Islamic religious affairs in our country.
The DAP MP’s proposal has since been met with controversy and backlash from lawmakers and the public alike. Now, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has announced the Cabinet’s stance on the matter.
The Prime Minister and Cabinet reject the proposal to appoint a minister for non-Islamic religious affairs
Anwar was quoted by Harian Metro as saying that the proposal has been rejected by the Cabinet. Furthermore, the Prime Minister asserted that Chow’s proposal is only his personal opinion as an MP.
Anwar further elaborated that the appointment of ministers and their portfolios is his prerogative as Prime Minister and opined that currently, the Federal Government has sufficient channels to ensure interracial harmony in the country.
The Prime Minister asserted,
“We have the Minister at the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Unity Minister, Religious Harmony Committee representing all ethnicities, all religions in Malaysia; so there are sufficient channels.
“The appointment of ministers is the discretion of the Prime Minister, and it (non-Islamic religious affairs minister) is not under consideration,”
Anwar was quoted as saying the above when met by reporters after performing the Friday prayer at Masjid As-Salam in Puchong Perdana, Selangor, earlier today.
So, what do you guys think of Anwar’s statement? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
