KUALA LUMPUR: The Home Ministry has no plans to conduct a detailed study to remove Malaysian citizen’s religious status on the identity card.
The ministry in a statement today said the religious status record on the identity card was implemented by the National Registration Department in accordance with Regulation 4 of the National Registration Regulations 1990.
The display of the Islamic religion status on the front of the identity card was also implemented in accordance with the First Schedule of Regulation 5 (2) of the same regulations, the statement said.
“The religious status of other religions is only included in the chip of the identity card.
“This is in accordance with Provision 3(1) of the Federal Constitution which declares Islam as the official religion and that other religions can be practised peacefully.
“The religious status displayed in the identity card of a citizen, who is a Muslim, is one of the important elements to facilitate the enforcement of Provision 11 (4) of the Constitution as well as other Syariah laws,” the statement read.
The statement was issued after the ministry received a video recording that was spread in the WhatsApp mobile messaging application on Jan 18 related to the issue of the abolishment of religious status on identity cards.
The ministry also advised people to refrain from spreading unverified information and news as well as disrupting peace and security of the country.