Use religious terms with caution, speaker tells MPs

Members of Parliament have been advised by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul to exercise caution when employing religious terms that may cause misunderstandings and extended disagreements within the House. Johari emphasized that phrases like "munafik" (hypocrite) might be well-known among those with extensive religious knowledge but could be foreign to individuals who are less familiar with their meaning, including non-Muslims.

Johari disclosed that he himself did not attend a religious institution and instead received his education in an English-speaking setting. He expressed his apprehension about using terms with profound meanings that he might not fully comprehend. He warned that if someone accused him of being a "munafik," he would likely become quite ill due to his lack of religious education.

Johari stated that this same principle applies to both Muslims and non-Muslims who might feel uneasy upon hearing such language, especially when it is used by individuals with substantial religious knowledge. He urged Members of Parliament to be mindful of the varying degrees of understanding among their colleagues when utilizing religious terminology.

Johari proposed that MPs should prefer less contentious language to avoid endless debates that could unnecessarily consume parliamentary time. He argued that such language can instill an intimidating atmosphere when others are not well-versed in its meaning. He concluded by noting that disputes over the use of these terms result in wasted parliamentary time that could instead be dedicated to addressing issues that affect the populace.

The atmosphere in the Dewan Rakyat became tense earlier when a heated exchange took place between government and opposition MPs over the use of "munafik" in reference to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The disagreement erupted after RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) invoked Standing Order 36(1), objecting to the term's usage by Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Baru) during the debate on the 2027 Supply Bill.