How does the Cabinet rate the inter-faith panel?

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw calls on the Cabinet to explain how does it truly rate the inter-faith panel. What is the true meaning of this panel?

Religious followers are very sensitive to things such as this. Is it possible for Tan Sri Muhyiddin not to use such term as "small fry" to describe the panel if he really thinks that it is important? Now, he has said it, how does he propose to make the panel meaningful?

On 13.4.2010, Dr Tan wonders whether the Deputy Prime Minister slips his tongue deliberately or unconsciously out of habit.

Recently, Muhyiddin slips his tongue deliberately, saying that he is Malay first and Malaysian second whereas Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's 1 Malaysia proffers Malaysian first. Najib says his deputy is right.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz defended Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s "Malay first" racial call" quoting the Federal Constitution.

Today, Nazri condones Muhyiddin's “small fry” remark when describing the cabinet’s inter-faith panel, saying that the deputy prime minister was protecting it from religious groups rather than reducing its role.

“I think we should look at DPM’s reply in the context of the objection from the Mufti of Perak because Mufti of Perak objected. What the DPM is trying to say is that don’t make it into a big deal. That is all,” Nazri told The Malaysian Insider last night.

The Perak Fatwa Committee led by state mufti Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria yesterday objected to the committee. He insisted that other religions could not be placed on equal footing with Islam which had a higher position by Allah's side.

The panel will be headed by former Kota Bharu MP Datuk Ilani Isahak, comprising religious leaders. Apparently, the panel will discuss various issues and provide advice to the Cabinet via Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon.

Whether or not the cabinet can repeal the formation of the panel, it must be credible to function meaningfully. Muhyiddin would have to come out with something more acceptable. Perkasa and Perak Mufti are on one side, MCCBCHST (Malaysian Consultative Council on Budhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism) is on the other. Attempting to deal with religious issues is like walking on a tight rope.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw