KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi says there is no ban on inter-religious discourse.

"We bar only sensitive issues from being raised, particularly those linked to religious matters. This should not be equated to a ban on inter-religious dialogue," he said in a written reply to Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) in Parliament today (Sept 13, 2006).

Lim had asked why the government encouraged freedom of religion and dialogue at the international level, but barred inter-religious dialogue in the country and warned the media to keep off religious issues.

Abdullah, who is also internal security minister, said barring the public from raising sensitive religious issues in dialogues and forums was intended to preserve national unity and harmony.

He said the public and the mass media had been advised not to raise sensitive issues that would create situations which could be detrimental to the country.

"The move (to bar) followed the actions of certain quarters to raise sensitive issues, particularly in relation to religion, which led to controversy and worry among Malaysians of different faiths," he said.

Abdullah said he often stressed the importance of the spirit of consensus among Malaysians of various ethnic races and religions, and he himself often held dialogues with various religious groups from time to time.

He said from the aspect of raising religious understanding in the country, most Malaysians were more keen on efforts to hold dialogues between religions from time to time at various levels.

"Now, there are various channels for multi-religious communities to discuss and exchange ideas. Thus, efforts to organise such dialogues will continue to be encouraged by the government.

"We also encourage scholars from both Jakim and Ikim to be involved in such inter-religious dialogue.

"The Religious Committee under the Unity Advisory Work Panel Committee of the National Unity and Integration Department will also hold inter-religious dialogues to forge a harmonious and religious community," he said.

These would stress on issues such as crime prevention, drug abuse and other matters which would require the cooperation of the various communities.