MIC backs PKR man’s proposal for non-Muslim religious affairs advisory board

MIC has agreed to a proposal for the establishment of non-Muslim religious affairs advisory board that was made by Sentosa state assemblyman G Gunaraj.

MIC deputy president Datuk M Saravanan who is also Tapah MP added that the board should also comprise politicians to better highlight the issues raised.

“But the most important thing is for the board to resolve issues affecting non-Muslims harmoniously,” he said when met by reporters during the campaign for the Ayer Kuning by-election last night.

Gunaraj who is also Selangor PKR vice chairman said yesterday an advisory board would allow coordination for the registration non-Muslim places of worship while mediating land and zoning disputes.

He said the board could also help resolve long-standing issues faced by non-Muslim communities, including the use of terms that are misleading and offensive such as “illegal temple”, which he said was legally and culturally inaccurate.

On another note Saravanan also doubled down on his call for an end to the usage of the term “illegal temple” or “kuil haram”.

He said Anwar need not obtain Cabinet’s approval to refrain from using the term.

Government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil yesterday confirmed that Saravanan’s call was not discussed during the Cabinet meeting.