Komas rejects ‘anti-Islam’ slur
Malaysiakini.com
Nov 21, 2006

Another NGO singled out for mention at last week’s Umno general assembly has denied the accusation that it is involved in activities that undermine Islam. 

In a statement, Pusat Komunikasi Masyarakat (Komas) board member Jerald Joseph countered allegations by Tasek Gelugor delegate Shahbudin Yahya, who named the group as one of five bodies whose activities have threatened the stability of the Islamic faith in Malaysia. 

“It is shocking that some of the comments made (at the assembly) were very racist in nature and came from learned delegates present,” Joseph noted.

“Komas strongly promotes better understanding of race relations through a human rights discourse and these efforts should be lauded instead of coming under fire or threats.”

Shahbudin, the Penang Islamic Council head, had said there are NGOs “like Inter-faith Council, Article 11 coalition, Sisters In Islam (SIS) and Komas who are supported and funded by this foreign body called Konrad Adenauer Foundation”.

“Komas advocates religious liberalism and pluralism by making videos and pamphlets on religion,” he said.

“The threat to Islam’s stability in not only from those in the country but there are also systematic threats from outsiders using insiders to turn Muslims among themselves”.

Jerald said Komas had, in 2005, embarked on a programme of promoting the principles of non-discrimination as enshrined in the constitution and international human rights law. This has been done through a training-workshop format using participatory tools.

A video produced depicts “different aspects of Malaysian social reality and give glimpses of stereotyping among the different races”. It is meant to be a tool to encourage discussions and break stereotyping and prejudices, he explained.

“It is appalling that (Shahbudin) has decided to deride any work that promotes harmony and greater understanding of each other.

“Komas can only draw (the) conclusion that this delegate has a lot more to learn and realise that Malaysians need to be more open to...(discussions) in an honest and earnest manner...to comprehend the race-relations situation in our country.”

He hoped that common sense and respect prevails and that society rejects anyone that promotes racist tendencies.

On Saturday, SIS and the Malaysian Interfaith Network had similarly rebutted Shahbudin.   

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