KOTA KINABALU: Vice President of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) David Ong has strongly condemned recent allegations that Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) has pressured non-Muslim Bumiputera students from Sabah and Sarawak to participate in Islamic-related programs.
He said that if these allegations are true, it represents a serious violation of religious freedom and an affront to the principles of diversity and justice that Malaysia upholds.
“As a public university, UiTM has a responsibility to respect the rights of all students, regardless of their religion and culture. Forcing non-Muslim students to engage in religious programs aimed at conversion is wrong and contradicts the Federal Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion.
“This also undermines the commitments made in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), which assures Sabah and Sarawak that their unique cultures and beliefs will be respected,” he said in a statement today.
David expressed concern over claims of a “conversion quota” and undue pressure on non-Muslim students.
“This practice must cease immediately. No student should be compelled to participate in any religious activities or made to feel like a second-class citizen in their own country,” he asserted.
“In this regard, we urge the Minister of Education to clarify why non-Muslim students are being forced to attend this program. Is there an official or unofficial policy promoting religious conversion at UiTM? What measures will the Ministry take to protect the constitutional rights of non-Muslim students?
LDP also calls on the government to investigate these allegations and take decisive action against those responsible.
Malaysia is built on diversity, and any attempts to erase or disrespect that diversity are unacceptable. This is not just an issue for Sabah or Sarawak.
