Malaysia: National harmony law violates Rukunegara with nod to atheists, Muslim NGOs say
File picture shows atheist professor Richard Dawkins posing for pictures beside a London bus displaying an advertising campaign with the words 'There's probably no God. Muslim groups claimed the National Unity Consultative Councils proposed anti-discrimination law recognise atheism and contravene the Rukunegara. AFP pic
KUALA LUMPUR, July 6 The National Unity Consultative Councils (NUCC) proposed anti-discrimination law contravenes the Rukunegaras principle of belief in God by recognising atheism, a coalition of Muslim groups have said.
In a column in Malay newspaper Mingguan Malaysia today, MuslimUPRo chief Azril Mohd Amin noted that the NUCCs National Harmony and Reconciliation Bill 2014 defined religion as any religion and includes any belief or lack of a religious belief, which he said would include atheists and the freedom to renounce a faith.
This clearly contradicts the Rukunegaras first principle, which is belief in God, Azril wrote.
The Rukunegara, or National Principles, are a set of five values introduced after the 1969 race riots to foster unity among Malaysians. -
http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/national-harmony-law-violates-rukunegara-with-nod-to-atheists-muslim-ngos-s#sthash.asuH07uF.dpuf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rukunegara