KUALA LUMPUR: A human rights group has appealed to the King to intervene to maintain peace and multiracial harmony, for the benefit of the people.
The Global Human Rights Organisation (GHRF) also called on His Majesty to defend the rights of his subjects, so that they were free from deliberate racial strife, caused by a handful who distorted religious beliefs of the minorities.
GHRF president S. Shashi Kumar called on the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah to stop those committing the heinous act of insulting the religion and beliefs of non-Muslims.
He made the call in the wake of rising apprehension following anti-religious sentiments by certain quarters, out to create chaos.
"This is for the sake of upholding justice solely for declaring that Malaysia is free from deliberate racial strife, torn apart by a handful who have uttered religious insults and wrongly interpreted and manipulated religious beliefs.
"By doing so, these culprits were not only breaking the laws of the country but challenging the harmony and unity of the people, as against the good stewardship of the His Majesty," Shashi said after handing a memorandum addressed to the King at Istana Negara.
Present were GHRF committee members Tan Boon Tak and Kindy Nyadang.
The memorandum was related to rogue Islamic preachers who insulted and denigrated non-Islamic faiths and beliefs causing racial disharmony and hatred among Malaysians.
In the memorandum, Sashi respectfully sought the King's assistance to look into the plight of his subjects, while maintaining Islam as the official religion of the federation.
"Cordial fellowship can be implemented without prejudice and favouritism, for the sake of preserving peace and harmony in a multiracial Malaysia.
"Article 8 of the Federal Constitution spells equal rights for its citizens, a right that is very important to prevent discrimination and injustice to Malaysians.
"Similarly, Article 11 of the Federal Constitution provides that every person is entitled to profess and practice his religion," said Shashi.
He added that further to that, Article 153 of the constitution provides for the King to be responsible for safeguarding the special position of the Malays and natives of Sabah and Sarawak, as well as the legitimate interests of other communities.
He called on the King to institute action against individuals who insulted, cursed, manipulated and misinterpreted non-Muslim beliefs so as to threaten the harmony that was built on tolerance.
"We have made numerous complaints and reports to the police in connection with the above matter, but to no avail as the authorities are considered discriminating in enforcing laws under the Federal Constitution.
"While some are punished and imprisoned for insulting the official religion of the country, those who insult the religion and beliefs of minorities appear to enjoy legal immunity," said Shashi.
He called for appropriate action to be taken against people such as Firdaus Wong Wai Hung, Zamri Vinoth, Ahmad Iqram Mohd Nor, Syakir Nasoha, Idris Sulaiman and others who went against the principles of Rukun Negara and the Federal Constitution.
Shashi said he hoped the appeals made by GHRF, that represents 62 coalition groups, would be heeded by the King to ensure continued racial harmony and freedom of religion as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
"We pray that Malaysia remains independent, sovereign, peaceful, prosperous and happy," he said.