Reject the notion that Malaysia is a secular state and no to an interfaith commission or a Non-Muslim Affairs Department - these are some of the demands from a coalition of Muslim groups.

The groups under the banner of Pertubuhan-Pertubuhan Pembela Islam (Pembela) and the Allied Coordinating Committee of Islamic NGOs (ACCIN) unveiled a list of demands to political parties contesting in the upcoming general election today.

"This is the first time we are doing this in public," said Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia president Yusri Mohamad.

"In the past, we would have closed-door discussions with the political parties. But this time round, we feel the need to be more visible in voicing our demands," he added.

During the press conference today, a six-part wish list covering ways to protect the special position of Islam, Islamic education, governance, civil society and democracy, inter-ethnic and inter-religious relations and Islamic faith and morals were put forward by the groups.

Explaining their stand, Yusri said that the list of demands were not targeted at any particular political party but was aimed at reminding the contesting parties about the needs of Muslims in the country.

Among the salient points in the list include:

  1. Defending the position of Islam as the religion of the Federation under Article 3 of the Federal Constitution.

  2. Asserting the role of Islam in the state and reject the notion that Malaysia is a secular state. This includes the setting-up of a Inter-Faith Commission or a Non-Muslim Affairs Department.

  3. Enact laws controlling the propagation of non-Muslim religions among the Muslims in Sabah, Sarawak, Perlis, Penang and Federal Territories as provided by Article 11(4) of the Federal Constitution.

  4. Defend and assert the position of the syariah courts as provided for under Article 121(1A) and Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution.

  5. Widen the scope of the criminal and civil jurisdiction of the syariah courts.

  6. Making it an offence (withdrawing the business licence) for companies which prohibit Muslims from practising their faith at the workplace.

The groups also urged the government to extend scholarships, which are currently enjoyed by Malay students, to non-Malay Muslim students.

Among the requests submitted, they are also asking for a special committee comprising representatives of Muslim organisations and local authorities to deliberate on applications to build non-Muslim houses of worship in Muslim-majority residential areas.

However, Yusri said that their request should not be treated as a threat to the government or non-Muslim groups. This list, he said, should only serve as a reminder to everyone of the needs of Muslim groups.

See here for the full list