KUALA LUMPUR: The cabinet has agreed to the setting up of an inter-religious understanding committee to address disputes between religious groups and to promote harmony in the wake of the spate of various inter-religious conflicts which had been dominating public discussions.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon confirmed this when met by reporters in parliament’s lobby on April 6, saying that the committee would provide a framework for religious leaders “to sit together to exchange views and to discuss issues so as to avoid unnecessary misunderstanding and misinterpretation”.

Former Kota Bharu member of parliament Datuk Ilani Isahak has been appointed to head the committee, which would comprise senior representatives of government departments and religious groups, Koh said.

These include the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim), Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (Ikim) and the Malaysian Consultative Council on Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST).

According to Koh, the committee would function under the National Unity and Integrity Department and report to the cabinet via Koh.

The Gerakan president also said that the committee would steer clear of involving active politicians to ensure that the religious issues would not be politicised.

“We do not want the discussion to be politicised or have any political posturing. We find that this will be a much better arrangement but this is not to say we don’t trust politicians,” Koh said.

Koh said the committee would look at various inter-religious issues, including the use of the word “Allah” by non-Muslims, inter-religious marriages, child conversions and custody disputes involving inter-religious marriages.

There had been mounting calls for the establishment of an interfaith panel particularly after the Kuala Lumpur High Court’s ruling on Dec 31, 2009 which granted Catholic weekly publication Herald the right to use the word “Allah” in its Bahasa Malaysia edition.

Koh added that the committee would be free to hold structured meetings or informal discussions as well as organise joint welfare activities to promote understanding and harmony.

When asked, Koh said the idea of the committee was the outcome of Ilani’s proposals as the government was seeking a mechanism for inter-religious dialogue. According to Koh, the cabinet had agreed to Ilani’s proposal for a structure to be established in February.

Koh also said Ilani, who was with the religious affairs division in the Prime Minister’s Office, was picked as she was in “good personal contact” with the country’s religious leaders and that she had a “very charming personality” which put the leaders at ease.

“I think it’s a good start,” Koh added.

The decision sparked much public debate and a spate of attacks against several places of worship across the nation.

To a question, Koh said the inter-religious committee was welcome to make recommendations to Cabinet but would not set any deadlines on any reports.

“If they come up with some recommendations, we will welcome the recommendations for consideration by the government. But I want to emphasise it’s not a rigid or an extremely formal set-up,” Koh said.