I am saddened that the non-Muslim ministers have been made to withdraw their memorandum on Article 121 of the constitution. They are now made to look like fools or little kids. Surely they must be firmly committed to their views to have the braveness to submit their memorandum. Now, just because the prime minister is upset with them, they have to sheepishly withdraw it. What a let down but what a display of political guts and maturity.

Judging from the prime minister's response that Article 121 (1A) need not be amended, it is clear to my mind that the prime minister has been wrongly advised. All learned and reasonable writings on the subject that I have read have largely advocated amending Article 121 (1A) to bring back jurisdiction over certain religious matters to the civil courts. Even his own minister, Nazri Abdul Aziz, has said that in these matter, the civil courts should be the proper forum as we cannot expect the Shariah Court to act without being accused of having a conflict of interest.

Hence, it was all the more important for the non-Muslim ministers to stay engaged with the prime minister rather than to have meekly succumbed to his anger. What is democracy and Islam Hadhari when the prime minster appears to be so intolerant of conflicting views when it comes to matters of religion.

Whatever it is, the non-Muslim ministers must stay engaged with him. They cannot withdraw their memorandum on so important a matter. This is not a political matter but a deeply religious one. As such, all ministers and members of parliament should be allowed to voice their conscience as freely as possible.