All-Party Parliamentary Group on Racial and Religious Harmony Established

6 MARCH 2025 - The All-Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia (APPGM) on Racial and Religious Harmony was officially approved on January 28, 2025, through a formal letter addressed to YB Tuan Syahredzan Johan, Member of Parliament for Bangi, the Chairman of APPGM. This group comprises representatives from both sides of the political aisle, including members from both government and opposition parties, demonstrating a bipartisan approach.

The group consists of eight Members of the Dewan Rakyat and one Member of the Dewan Negara, as follows:

Chairperson: YB Tuan Syahredzan Johan (Bangi)

Deputy Chairperson 1: YB Senator Datuk Seri Dr. Mujahid Yusof Rawa

Deputy Chairperson 2: YB Dr. Hajah Halimah Binti Ali (Kapar)

Secretary: YB Tuan Yuneswaran A/L Ramaraj (Segamat)

Treasurer: YB Tuan Riduan Bin Rubin (Tenom)

YB Dato’ Sri Doris Sophia Anak Brodi (Sri Aman)

YB Tuan Syed Saddiq Bin Syed Abdul Rahman (Muar)

YB Tuan Haji Suhaizan Kaiat (Pulai)

YB Tuan Lee Chean Chung (Petaling Jaya)

APPGM-RRH is supported by Architects of Diversity Malaysia (AOD) as its Secretariat, along with several academic experts, including Dr. Murni Binti Wan Mohd Nor (IDFR), Prof Madya Dr Syaza Farhana Binti Mohd Shukri (UIAM), Dr. Fatimah Al Attas (UIAM) and Dr. Abdul Muqit Bin Muhammad (UM), serving as Advisors to the APPGM. Additionally, the group has invited Dr. Shatesh Kumar A/L Sangar (representing the Ministry of National Unity), Dr. Sabariah Harun (representing IKRAM Malaysia), Mr. Andrew Khoo (representing the Malaysian Bar Council), and Ms. Maha Balakrishnan (Parliamentary Expert) as honorary observers.

The APPGM-RRH is established as a discussion platform to identify and propose systemic, legislative, and awareness-based solutions to issues related to racial and religious harmony in Malaysia. The group will serve as a forum to consolidate collective perspectives from Members of Parliament, Senators, civil society and experts in relevant fields. Key focus areas for APPGM include:

1. Exploration of legislative, policy, and grassroot proposals in support of effort to foster racial and religious harmony at the national level,

2. Act as a primary platform to promote dialogue and discussions on racial and religious harmony for all stakeholders,

3. Develop advocacy and educational initiatives that unite communities of diverse races and religions, and

4. Provide feedback and recommendations to relevant ministries to foster sustainable harmony among racial and religious groups in Malaysia.

In light of current developments, the APPGM-RRH recognizes the urgent need to bring together all stakeholders to discuss the future direction of racial and religious harmony in Malaysia.

The APPGM-RRH affirms its commitment to drive awareness, advocacy and legislative recommendations to policymakers. These efforts aim to ensure that racial and religious harmony in Malaysia is preserved and strengthened, in line with the principles of the Federal Constitution.

In alignment with the nation’s aspirations to uphold unity as well as racial and religious harmony, the APPGM-RRH hopes to receive support from YAB Prime Minister and his administration, the Malaysian Parliament, the Attorney General, Members of the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara, as well as all political parties in Malaysia. Such support is crucial to achieving the group’s objectives and foster a more harmonious and united society.

This statement is issued by

Members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia on Racial and Religious Harmony