Article 11

The Federal Constitution: Protection for All

FAQ

The Coalition Called Article 11: Myths and Facts

Does Article 11 aim to establish the IFC?

This is not one of Article 11’s objectives, although some of the individuals and groups that had participated in the IFC initiative are also involved in Article 11.

The IFC was intended to be a statutory body with a conciliatory function to promote the national unity of the people of multiple faiths in Malaysia. Despite the misinformation spread by irresponsible persons, the proposed IFC was not intended to have adjudicatory functions.

Article 11 is a separate initiative. There is no discussion about the IFC in Article 11’s public forums or other activities.

Does Article 11 oppose the position of Islam in Malaysia?

No. Article 11 respects Article 3(1) of the Federal Constitution, which states that “Islam is the religion of the Federation; but other religions may be practised in peace and harmony in any part of the Federation.” We also uphold Article 4(1), which provides that the Federal Constitution is the supreme law of Malaysia.

... more

Gabungan Yang Dipanggil Artikel 11: Mitos dan Fakta

Adakah Artikel 11 bertujuan untuk menubuhkan Suruhanjaya Antara Agama (IFC)?

Ini bukanlah salah satu daripada objektif Artikel 11, walaupun beberapa individu dan kumpulan yang terlibat dalam inisiatif IFC juga turut terlibat di dalam Artikel 11.

Tujuan penubuhan IFC adalah sebagai satu badan statutori yang bersifat sebagai pendamai bagi memupuk perpaduan nasional di kalangan penganut-penganut pelbagai agama dan kepercayaan di Malaysia. Tidak seperti tohmahan dan tuduhan yang dilemparkan, cadangan penubuhan IFC sebenarnya tidak bertujuan untuk mempunyai kuasa undang-undang dalam menyelesaikan sebarang isu. Kita, sebagai rakyat Malaysia, seharusnya mengalu-alukan inisiatif ini sebagai satu cara untuk menyelesaikan permasalahan secara aman dan melalui persefahaman. Malangnya, pihak Kerajaan telah menolak mentah-mentah cadangan penubuhan IFC itu.

Artikel 11 adalah satu inisiatif yang berasingan. Tiada perbincangan mengenai IFC dibuat dalam forum awam Artikel 11 atau dalam aktiviti-aktivitinya yang lain.

Adakah Artikel 11 menentang kedudukan agama Islam di Malaysia?

Tidak. Artikel 11 menghormati Perkara 3(1) Perlembagaan Persekutuan yang menyatakan bahawa, “Islam ialah agama bagi Persekutuan; tetapi agama-agama lain boleh diamalkan dengan aman dan damai di mana-mana bahagian Persekutuan.” Kami juga mendukung Perkara 4(1) yang memberi jaminan bahawa Perlembagaan Persekutuan merupakan undang-undang teragung di Malaysia.

... Lanjutan

Rapporteur’s report

On 12 March 2006, Article 11 and the Malaysian Bar Council jointly organised a public forum entitled “Federal Constitution: Protection for All” at the Crystal Crown Hotel in Petaling Jaya. The forum addressed the recent court cases involving Nyonya Tahir, Moorthy and Shamala, and highlighted the problem of conflicts of jurisdiction and the need for a judicial system that will protect everyone. Approximately 620 people attended the forum, and 497 people signed the open letter that was announced at the forum and available for signing afterwards.

The speakers at the forum were Ivy Josiah, Professor Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi, Datuk Dr Cyrus Das, Malik Imtiaz Sarwar and Y.B. Datuk Zaid Ibrahim. Ambiga Sreenevasan of the Bar Council served as the moderator.

… more >

A Look at the Article 11 Coalition

The year 2006 was an eventful and fruitful one in the young life of the coalition of civil society groups called Article 11, although not one without its share of hurdles and disappointments.

The group was practically unheard of at the dawn of the year, yet a public forum it organised in mid-March drew a crowd of several hundred. By late July, Article 11 had been propelled to the front page of the mainstream English press as a result, unfortunately, of the Prime Minister’s firm warning for it to halt its series of public forums. Coupled with a governmental directive to the media to cease reporting on religious issues, by year’s end the coalition reluctantly relegated its role to one away from the public eye.

… more >