Category: Freedom of Religion

DAP opposes an Islamic Constitution and Islamic State for multi-racial Malaysia

Speech by Parliamentary Opposition Leader, DAP Secretary- General and MP for Kota Melaka, Lim Kit Siang, at the DAP Malacca Ceramah held at Meng Seng Charitable Association on Monday, 23.9.1985 at 9 p.m.

DAP opposes an Islamic Constitution and Islamic State for multi-racial Malaysia

The Barisan Nasional landslide general elections victory in April 1982 set the stage for a redical departure in Malaysian nation- buildings: the launching of Islamisation over a wide field of national life, whether in administration, economy, education, cultural or even in politics. Continue reading DAP opposes an Islamic Constitution and Islamic State for multi-racial Malaysia

DAP calls for the formation of an Inter-Religious Council to promote inter-religious understanding, tolerance and goodwill among the major religions in Malaysia as a check against the incipient religious polarisation in Malaysia.

Speech by Parliamentary Opposition Leader, DAP Secretary- General and MP for Kota Melaka, Lim Kit Siang, at the launching of the book ‘Contemporary Issues on Malaysian Religions’ put out by the Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism at Hotel Hilton on Saturday, 24.11.1984

DAP calls for the formation of an Inter-Religious Council to promote inter-religious understanding, tolerance and goodwill among the major religions in Malaysia as a check against the incipient religious polarisation in Malaysia.

I congratulate the Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism which organised a Seminar on ‘Common Religious Values for Nation Building’ in April this year for publishing its proceedings in this book form, under the title of ‘Contemporary Issues On Malaysian Religious’. Continue reading DAP calls for the formation of an Inter-Religious Council to promote inter-religious understanding, tolerance and goodwill among the major religions in Malaysia as a check against the incipient religious polarisation in Malaysia.

Call on Datuk Musa Hitam to ensure that the government does not practice ‘double-standards’ in law enforcement

Speech by Parliamentary Opposition Leader, DAP Secretary-General and MP for Kota Melaka, Lim Kit Siang, at DAP Klang Pasar Branch Anniversary Dinner held in Kajang on Saturday, 7th July 1984 at 8p.m.

Call on Datuk Musa Hitam to ensure that the government does not practice ‘double-standards’ in law enforcement

One important element in determining government credibility and legitimacy, as well as deciding the degree of public confidence in the government, is it fairness and impartiality in the carrying out of its obligations and responsibilities. A government which acts arbitrarily and capriciously for the interests of its leaders or political parties or uses its power to victimize opponents or critics would forfeit public confidence and undermine its own legitimacy and credibility. Continue reading Call on Datuk Musa Hitam to ensure that the government does not practice ‘double-standards’ in law enforcement

Call on 2M Government to respect the Constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion, and to confine legislative proposal to deal with intra-religious problems in the Muslim community

Speech by Parliamentary Opposition Leader, DAP Secretary-General and MP for Kota Melaka, Lim Kit Siang, in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday, 9th December 1982 on the Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill 1982

Call on 2M Government to respect the Constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion, and to confine legislative proposal to deal with intra-religious problems in the Muslim community of kafir mengafir, two imam and praying separately in the same or different mosque to Muslims and not to extend extend them to non-Muslim religious without consultation and consent of non-Muslim religious groups and organizations.

At the 33rd UMNO General Assembly in September this year, the Prime Minister, Dr. Mahathir Mohamed, said that the Government would formulate a law to ensure that Islam, its teachings and values are not abused or wrongly preached. He said that the law would serve to protect the ‘sanctity of Islam’ as the official religion and would provide for legal action to be taken against those who carried out their activities prejudicial to Islam and Muslim unity in the country. The Prime Minister also said that the new legislation would be severe in dealing with deviant Islamic teachings. Continue reading Call on 2M Government to respect the Constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion, and to confine legislative proposal to deal with intra-religious problems in the Muslim community

Call on Deputy Minister and Minister of home Affairs, Datuk Musa Hitam, to appreciate the alarm expressed by the non-Muslim religious groups in the country

Press Conference Statement by Parliamentary Opposition Leader, DAP Secretary-General and MP for Kota Melaka Lim Kit Siang in Malacca on Sunday, 5.12.82 at 10.30 a.m.

Call on Deputy Minister and Minister of home Affairs, Datuk Musa Hitam, to appreciate the alarm expressed by the non-Muslim religious groups in the country, the Christians, Buddhists, Hindus and the Sikh religion, over the far-reaching implications of the Panel and Criminal Produce Code (Amendment) Bill 1982 on the constitutional right of freedom of religion, and to withdraw the Bill to allow for fuller inter-religious study before retabling it in Parliament

In the September UMNO General Assembly, the Prime Minister, Dr. Mahathir Mohamed, said the Government would formulate a law to ensure that Islam, its teaching and values are not abused or wrongly preached. He said the law would serve to protect the sanctity of Islam as the official religion and would provide for legal action to be taken against those who carried out their activities prejudicial to Islam and Muslim unity in the country. Continue reading Call on Deputy Minister and Minister of home Affairs, Datuk Musa Hitam, to appreciate the alarm expressed by the non-Muslim religious groups in the country

DAP announces postponement of proposed Batu Caves Day on September 7

By Parliamentary Opposition Leader, DAP Secretary-General and MP for Petaling, Lim Kit Siang, on Wednesday, 3rd September 1980:

DAP announces postponement of proposed Batu Caves Day on September 7

At the Press Conference in Kuala Lumpur on August 15, when I announced the formation of a DAP Save Batu Caves Action Committee under the Chairmanship holding of Batu caves Day on September 7, 1980 (coming Sunday), where Malaysian of all faith and races congregate at Batu Caves to demonstrate, by their presence, their concern for the 440 million year old national heritage and the religious shrine for 800,000 Hindus. Continue reading DAP announces postponement of proposed Batu Caves Day on September 7

Call on Malaysians from all over the country to take up the cudge to save the 440 million year-old Batu Caves as a national heritage and as a religious shrine for the 800,000 Hindus in Malaysia

Press Conference Statement by Parliamentary Opposition Leader, DAP Secretary-General and MP for Petaling, Lim Kit Siang, in Ipoh on Monday, 18th August 1980 at 11am

Call on Malaysians from all over the country to take up the cudge to save the 440 million year-old Batu Caves as a national heritage and as a religious shrine for the 800,000 Hindus in Malaysia

There is a tendency for Malaysians to regard the Batu Caves issue, to stop immediate of the Caves by two private quarries to save the 440million-year-old national heritage and which is also the religious shrine of 800,000 Hindus, as a issue which concerns those who stay around Batu Caves or at most those staying in the State of Selangor and Federal Territory. Continue reading Call on Malaysians from all over the country to take up the cudge to save the 440 million year-old Batu Caves as a national heritage and as a religious shrine for the 800,000 Hindus in Malaysia

DAP Forms Save Batu Caves Action Committee’ to join forces with all conservationist and environmentalist groups and forcer, including those in other political parties, to save the 200-million year Malaysian natural heritage and the religious shrine of 200,000 Hindus in Malaysia.

Press Conference Statement by Parliamentary Opposition Leader, DAP Secretary-General and MPs for Petaling, Lim Kit Siang, at Kuala Lumpur on Friday, 15th August 1980 at 2 p.m.

DAP Forms Save Batu Caves Action Committee’ to join forces with all conservationist and environmentalist groups and forcer, including those in other political parties, to save the 200-million year Malaysian natural heritage and the religious shrine of 200,000 Hindus in Malaysia.

The further six-month extension granted by the Selangor State Government to the two private quarries to continue blasting the Batu Caves must concern all Malaysian who cherish the 200-million-year-old Malaysian natural heritage that is Batu Caves, and the religious shrine of 200,000 Hindus in Malaysia. Continue reading DAP Forms Save Batu Caves Action Committee’ to join forces with all conservationist and environmentalist groups and forcer, including those in other political parties, to save the 200-million year Malaysian natural heritage and the religious shrine of 200,000 Hindus in Malaysia.

Call on Malaysians to be concerned about the national heritage of the Batu Caves

Speech by Parliamentary Opposition Leader, DAP Secretary-General and MP for Petaling, Lim Kit Siang, when speaking at a political dialogue organised by the three Petaling Jaya branches of PJ Old Town, PJ and Sea Park At Mandarin Restaurant, SS2, Petaling Jaya on Friday, 15.8.1980 at 8pm

Call on Malaysians to be concerned about the national heritage of the Batu Caves and join in the Batu Caves Day proposed for Sept.7 to save a national heritage and religious shrine

The Selangor State Government owes the people of the State and Malaysia explanation as to why the two quarries at Batu Caves have been allowed a six-month extension of quarrying activities although it might bring out the collapse of the 200-million-year-old Caves. Continue reading Call on Malaysians to be concerned about the national heritage of the Batu Caves

DAP to form a Bureau of Religious and Cultural Affairs to promote greater inter-religious understanding and contribute to the development of cultural pluralism in Malaysia

Speech by Parliamentary Opposition Leader, DAP Secretary-General and MP for Petaling, Lim Kit Siang, when launching a series of Perak State DAP-organised political talks at the Perak State premises on Friday, 18th July 1980 at 8pm

DAP to form a Bureau of Religious and Cultural Affairs to promote greater inter-religious understanding and contribute to the development of cultural pluralism in Malaysia

I congratulate Perak State Committee for organizing a series of political talks aimed at a deeper understanding of important issues and questions directly bearing on nation building in Malaysia. Continue reading DAP to form a Bureau of Religious and Cultural Affairs to promote greater inter-religious understanding and contribute to the development of cultural pluralism in Malaysia