It is a fact that Christian opinion in this country has welcomed the establishment of the Federation of Malaysia, in the belief that it will make for stability and prosperity in the area as a whole. In building up the bonds between the different races within this vast geographical area, an essential element is the building up of confidence in every part of the community, confidence that every part will be able to develop its life in freedom. The Christian community in Singapore, as in North Borneo and Sarawak, is among those groups which make a valuable contribution to the life of the community. It is therefore important that they should be able to give the Federation their full support and work wholeheartedly for its success. For this to be the case, they must not feel that there is a continual threat hanging over them concerning freedom to practise their religion, which must include the preaching of the Gospel in which they believe.
For this reason, Christian opinion both in the Borneo States and in this country has welcomed, in particular, the provision of Article 161 D of the new Constitution, which reads as follows. "Notwithstanding Clause 4 of Article 11, there may be included in the Constitution of a Borneo State provision that an enactment of the State Legislature controlling or restricting the propagation of any religious doctrine or belief among persons professing the Muslim religion shall not be passed unless it is agreed to in the Legislative Assembly on second or third reading or on both by a specified majority, not being a majority greater than two thirds of the total number of members of the Assembly." That provision has already been referred to by the noble Marquess, Lord Lansdowne, and by the noble Lord, Lord Shepherd. This, however, does not cover the position in Singapore. For there the existing provisions of the Federation of Malaya will apply without any such entrenched constitutional safeguards as will be enjoyed by the Borneo States.
These provisions are essentially two. By virtue of Article 3: "Islam is the religion of the Federation; but other religions may be practised in peace and harmony." In Article 11 it is laid down: "Every person has the right to profess and practise his religion and, subject to Clause 4, to propagate it." It is to Clause 4 that Article 161 D refers, and it reads as follows: "State law may control or restrict the propagation of any religious doctrine or belief among persons professing the Muslim religion." With such a provision everything turns on the manner in which it is implemented. It has been the implementation of it which has given rise to some difficulties for the missionary work of the Christian church in Penang and Malacca, following the passage of the Muslim Law Enactment Bills in those States. In consequence, the Council of Churches in Singapore expressed fears concerning the introduction of similar legislation in the future in Singapore. As the Christian community forms only 3 per cent. of the Singapore population, no entrenched constitutional clause could meet this case. It therefore seems all the more essential to obtain, if possible, from the Singapore Government some declaration of intent.
For this purpose the application of the British Council of Churches, led by the Bishop of Birmingham, waited upon the Prime Minister of Singapore during the recent Constitutional Conference in London. The Prime Minister was asked whether, on his return to Singapore, he would reaffirm publicly that it was the intention of his Government to pursue a policy of religious toleration, and that there was no intention of introducing legislation to control or restrict the propagation of any religious doctrine or belief; that the status quo in matters of religious liberty would be maintained, and that it would be the wish of his Government that there should be no difference in the way this was interpreted in practice between Singapore and the Borneo territories.
The Prime Minister, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, showed full understanding of the position and undertook to make a declaration concerning this issue in the light of the representations which had been made to him. This is much to be welcomed, and although Her Majesty's Government no longer bear responsibility in these matters, I would express the hope that the United Kingdom representative in Singapore will continue to show interest and concern for these important issues of religious liberty. It will obviously be necessary to recognise beyond all possible doubt the complete independence of the country in which he is stationed. He will pay full attention, obviously, to the particular need of Muslim communities, to which wise reference was made by the noble Lord, Lord Shepherd. But it is to be hoped that as a representative of this country he would never forget what we have tried to maintain and to spread in the world in the way of religious liberty, and will believe that this is something for which all nations of the world should eventually
