UK can learn from Malaysia amid veil row -Prescott

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 (Reuters) British Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott insisted that Britain could learn from Malaysia's race relations but local rights activists called him naive and out of touch with reality.

Prescott, on a visit to Malaysia, yesterday said he had learnt a lot on peaceful co-existence between faiths in this Southeast Asian nation, where a slim majority of Malay Muslims live and work alongside large minorities of ethnic Chinese and Indians.

''That are very good community relations that have existed here over a long period of time and that's probably the reason why they have good harmony here,'' he told reporters after talks with his Malaysian counterpart, Najib Razak.

''We had discussed that. I think there are a lot of lessons to be learnt between all countries on what's happening in inter-faith discussions.'' Prescott's visit came as Britain is mired in a highly charged debate about Muslim women wearing a veil, with British Prime Minister Tony Blair calling it a ''mark of separation''. The controversy in Britain drew critical press coverage in Malaysia.

''In Britain, we have somewhat of an argument about the veil,'' Prescott said. ''That's why I have come here to discuss how they have been dealing with these problems.'' But human rights activists said Prescott was probably out of touch with reality on his comments on how Malaysia dealt with inter-faith relations, arguing instead that the government had restricted inter-faith dialogues and religious freedom.

''He may be naive,'' said rights lawyer Haris Ibrahim, among several critics who believe religious freedoms are being steadily eroded in Malaysia.

''To come and tell us that this country is a model for inter-faith dialogue is just like an ostrich putting its head in the sand,'' said Haris. ''The minute civil-society discussion arises (in the country), there are parties that are screaming anti-Islam.'' Haris is representing a Malay woman who is fighting a losing battle to persuade the civil courts to recognise her decision to renounce Islam. In Malaysia, all Malays are deemed to be Muslim and cannot renounce Islam under sharia law.

Her case has highlighted tensions between non-Muslims who say their constitutional right to freedom of religion is compromised and Muslims who feel their faith is under attack. The government recently discouraged public debates on the issue and suspended plans to set up an inter-faith commission.

REUTERS SRS BD0426