Minister slams Bersatu man over religious pluralism agenda claim

September 11, 2024

Minister slams Bersatu man over religious pluralism agenda claim

PETALING JAYA: National unity minister Aaron Ago Dagang has slammed Bersatu member Badrul Hisham Shaharin, also known as Chegubard, for claiming that a joint committee on harmony was part of the government’s religious pluralism agenda.

In a statement, Aaron said the Cabinet had agreed in August 2020 to form the committee, co-managed by his ministry and the Islamic development department (Jakim

Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin was the prime minister then.

Aaron said Badrul’s allegation was over the top and untrue, as the committee was merely a platform to “close the gap” between Muslim and non-Muslim bodies.

He added that the committee’s main functions were to propose to the government strategies aimed at improving religious harmony and understanding, and to hold activities in the community that would foster harmony among people of various faiths.

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The minister pointed out that this committee was co-chaired by him and religious affairs minister Na’im Mokhtar, joined by Jakim officials and representatives from the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia.

“Chegubard made another false allegation, that Rukun Tetangga members who were present at non-Muslim houses of worship during Harmoni Madani programmes were involved in religious rituals, and that this was aimed at equating other religions with Islam.

“I want to strongly stress that the programme does not touch on the faiths or rituals of any religion. This programme is aimed at fostering togetherness, mutual understanding, and strengthening the unity of Malaysians of different religions, race and culture.”