Hannah Yeoh, minister of youth and sports, has refuted claims that her department’s program of visiting houses of worship involved proselytizing Muslim youths.
According to her, there are no Muslim youths registered in the Projek Article 11 ‘Jom Ziarah’ program organized by Impact Malaysia.
“Jom Ziarah is not a project that is organized to make all religions equal and is not intended to illustrate that all religions have the same standings, as what has been portrayed by certain quarters,” Yeoh told the Parliament during her winding-up speech on the Budget 2023.
“Jom Ziarah is a project organized with efforts to know the differences between religions [in the country] that are among us. It is an effort that helps us tell the difference and through this, Malaysian society which is made up of many races can live harmoniously, and with tolerance.
The program, under Project Article 11, is aimed at exposing youths to the country’s multi-ethnic cultures and beliefs and cultivating an understanding of the various cultures and religions here.
The name comes from Article 11 of the Federal Constitution, referring to every person’s right to profess and practice the freedom of religion.
Project Article 11 consists of two parts: the ‘Jom Ziarah’ aspect and volunteering activities to assist vulnerable groups.
“The programme that was organized, is not a new programme. The Unity Ministry had also organized visitations to the house of worship involving various religions through their committee, which promotes understanding and harmony between religions and now the committee is known as Harmony Committee,” Yeoh said.
She further explained no Muslim youths are joining the programme which would visit a church later this week.
“I want this to be included in the Hansard so that they cannot play up the matter through social media anymore.
“For your information, the Jom Ziarah programme that commenced on March 4 at the [Federal Territory] Mosque was attended by eight Chinese and Indian youths, meanwhile the visitation to the Gurdwara on March 11 was attended by three Chinese youths.
“So those who are hurling accusations, don’t need to make it look like there were thousands of youths who went into the church and they will be influenced, there is no such thing, the data shows it,” she added.
She also said that, as the former Selangor State Legislative Assembly Speaker from 2013 to 2018, and as the assemblywoman of Subang Jaya, she is aware and understands that there are laws that prohibit evangelism.
“So accusing me of using agencies under the Youth and Sports Ministry for [evangelism] is an accusation that is overboard, and making me a punching bag to cover up charges that are being faced by their leaders.
“I’m not talking about PAS, but Bersatu, who is making accusations against me outside. I am also a DAP member and I understand the Federal Constitution, which recognises Islam as the religion of the federation.
Yeoh was referring to an allegation made by Negeri Sembilan Muafakat Nasional chairman Badrul Hisham Shaharin or better known as Che’gu Bard, who labelled the event as “Christian evangelist has started its work”.
The Segambut MP has since lodged a police report through her political secretary against the allegations made by Che’gu Bard.
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