Kertas Konsep Pembangunan Indeks Hak Kebebasan Beragama di Malaysia

Concept Paper on the Development of the Right to Religious Freedom Index in Malaysia

Abstract

Abstrak: Hak Kebebasan Beragama (HKB) di Malaysia merupakan antara isu penting yang sering menjadi perdebatan. HKB yang termaktub di dalam Perlembagaan Persekutuan Malaysia sejak awal lagi telah mempertahankan hak menganut dan mengamalkan agama masing-masing bagi setiap individu. Tambahan pula, perlembagaan juga mengakui keistimewaan bagi agama Islam serta hak kaum Melayu dan bumiputera. Oleh itu, hak keistimewaan ini seringkali menjadi polemik bukan sekadar dalam pengetahuan warganegara Malaysia bahkan turut mendapat perhatian antarabangsa. Hal ini juga menyebabkan pentafsiran HKB di Malaysia tidak selari dengan pemahaman HKB yang terkandung di dalam Deklarasi Hak Asasi Manusia Sejagat atau Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR 1948). Oleh yang demikian, terdapat banyak laporan antarabangsa yang mengkritik pengamalan HKB di Malaysia kerana menurut laporan tersebut, Malaysia telah mendiskriminasi warganya. Oleh itu, matlamat kertas konsep ini adalah untuk membentangkan idea awal tentang pembangunan indeks HKB bagi mengukur tahap hak kebebasan beragama di Malaysia. Penulisan ini menggunakan kajian kepustakaan melalui analisis terhadap kajian-kajian lepas. Hasil analisis telah mendapati terdapat tiga tema utama perbincangan berkaitan dengan HKB iaitu tentang definisi hak kebebasan beragama, isu-isu hak kebebasan beragama di Malaysia dan kajian pengukuran pengamalan beragama. Oleh yang demikian, Malaysia memerlukan satu indeks watan yang boleh mengukur pengamalan HKB sesuai dengan apa yang termaktub dalam Perlembagaan Persekutuan. Indeks ini signifikan dalam membentangkan wajah sebenar pengamalan HKB di Malaysia sekaligus dapat memberikan jawapan balas atau membetulkan laporan antarabangsa yang telah membentangkan laporan negatif terhadap HKB di Malaysia.

Abstract: The right of religious freedom (HKB) in Malaysia is one of the important issues that are frequently debated. This right, enshrined in the Federal Constitution of Malaysia from the beginning, protects every individual’s right to profess and practice their respective religions. Moreover, the constitution also acknowledges the privilege of Islam and the rights of the Malays and Bumiputera. Thus, this privilege has been the subject of controversy, not only among Malaysian citizens but also internationally. The interpretation of the right to freedom of religion in Malaysia does not align with the definition outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948, resulting in international criticism of Malaysia’s discrimination of its citizens. To address this issue, this concept paper aims to discuss the preliminary idea on the development of HKB index in Malaysia. Previous research has identified limitations to the practice of religious freedom for both Muslims and non-Muslims. Literature review has been conducted in this paper by analysing past studies. The analysis has revealed three primary topics of discussion regarding religious freedom. These topics include defining the right to religious freedom, examining the issues surrounding the right to religious freedom in Malaysia, and exploring methods of measuring religious practice. Thus, it is essential for Malaysia to have an index that can evaluate the implementation of religious freedom rights in compliance with the provisions stated in the Federal Constitution. A religious freedom index is crucial in presenting an accurate picture of the practice of HKB in Malaysia and responding to negative international reports.