13 Oct 2020

Minister Khairuddin should not force personal religious beliefs on others

Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Khairuddin Aman Razali’s recent call for a blanket ban on gambling is a narrow-minded way of thinking which does not resonate with the diverse and multiracial background. Such talks will only stir racial and religious tensions and impede the nation’s progress towards a harmonious Malaysia.

As a Cabinet minister, Khairuddin’s remarks should represent all Malaysians, not just a certain religion or ethnicity. His personal responsibility as a Minister should be his primary focus, instead of championing other agendas or forcing his own beliefs onto others.

Besides that, Khairuddin’s claim that all religions shun gambling is simply baffling. First of all, who is he to speak for all religions?

Even though we do not actively promote gambling, since every religion has its own standards and restrictions, then why not let the believers be their own judge?

We all know that all major religions advocate a certain set of rules and moral guidelines for its believers, thus, these people should be held accountable by their own conscience, not by the judiciary system. In that respect, Khairuddin’s headstrong remark to call for a total ban imposed by the federal government, not only infringes on personal freedom, but it also projects his own personal religious belief as part of the law, unfairly subjecting Malaysians to restrictions.

Datuk Tan Teik Cheng

MCA Vice President

-MCA online-