Several issues raised by Malaysiakini readers in response to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Joseph Kurup’s meeting with an interfaith group is out of the minister’s jurisdiction, his aide said.

Kurup’s press secretary Saleki Amat Januri said that instead, cases raised like the usage of the word ‘Allah’ are now in court and “need not be questioned any more”.

“I am urging the public not to make any speculations on the matter until the court has made a final decision,” he said in a statement today.

He added that cases where religions other than Islam are allegedly maligned would come under the purview of the Home Ministry, while Islamic matters came under Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Jamil Khir Baharom.

These, he said, include those like Perkasa leaders Zulkifli Noordin and Ibrahim Ali and academic Ridhuan Tee Abdullah, as raised by the readers.

Saleki was responding to comments on an article regarding Kurup’s meeting with interfaith council MCCBCHST on Aug 11, where he said that the government has no tolerance for religious bigotry.

“I see the government’s efforts to hold dialogues with an interfaith organisation as a practical step towards solving their problems,” Saleki added.

Gov’t serious about intercultural issues

He said that the government is serious about national harmony and the woes of non-Muslims, as evident in the formation of a National Unity Consultative Council to advise on interfaith and intercultural matters.

“The fact that the Administration of the Religion of Islam (Federal Territories) Bill 2013 was withdrawn showed the government is always transparent in handling various issues, especially those involving religion,” he said.

The proposed Bill was to allow the conversion of minors to Islam with the consent of only one parent in the Federal Territories was last month withdrawn following a public outcry.

“As such, we have to practice the culture of unity and adhere to the federal constitution and the Rukun Negara, because we will only live in harmony if we respect one another,” he said.