KUALA LUMPUR – PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan has joined the chorus of dissent against DAP lawmaker Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham’s suggestion to include non-Muslims in a special committee to review shariah courts.
Labelling Ngeh’s proposal as “divisive and unnecessary”, Takiyuddin cautioned that such statements have the potential to trigger “long-term polemics” while inciting disharmony among the multi-racial and multi-religious Malaysian society.
“Ngeh’s proposal is not only redundant, but also unnecessary (as) the concerns he raised were premature, provocative and purely speculative.
“PAS has always upheld that the special committee should be given sufficient space to conduct its studies and engagement based on the terms of its appointment without any interference or negative assumptions,” Takiyuddin said in a statement today.
The Kota Bharu MP also highlighted how the special committee to study the powers of the shariah court was established to advise the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs and the Conference of Rulers on matters relating to shariah legal conflicts, which only applies to Muslims.
Claiming that Beruas MP Ngeh appears to be “insensitive” to the process and procedures associated with the special committee, Takiyuddin asserted that this can only be interpreted as “yet another failure” of the government to control narratives – even from its own members.
“We should repent and be grateful because in line with Islamic teachings, the majority community in the country has never created a confrontational atmosphere or interfered in the affairs of other religious practices.
“The same attitude should be reciprocated by all parties (as) doing otherwise will only damage our existing harmony and act as a timebomb which will destroy everything.”
Takiyuddin’s DAP counterpart Anthony Loke earlier today said that he was “well aware” of how Ngeh’s statement would create the impression that DAP was trying to interfere in Islamic matters.
“This is not true at all… (Ngeh’s statement) is a mistake regarding the authority behind the establishment of the committee,” Loke had said.
He also said non-Muslims should not worry about the committee’s work, as any proposed amendment to laws involving the rights of non-Muslims would have to go through the cabinet and Parliament.
Ngeh, in his statement yesterday, said in addition to a non-Muslim constitutional law expert, a representative from the Malaysian Bar should also sit on the special committee to ensure fairness.
His remarks drew immediate flak from Umno and Bersatu leaders, who accused him of provocation and of undermining confidence in the Malay rulers, who are guardians of Islam in their respective states.
Umno secretary-general Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said Ngeh’s suggestion only served to provide “unnecessary controversy”, while Armada chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal said Ngeh’s proposal could cause public unrest and demanded an apology. – December 29, 2023