Mohamad Aziz (BN-Sri Gading) sounded a warning in the Dewan Rakyat to non-Muslims, to stop disputing the decisions of the Syariah Court.

He was referring to the case of part-time model Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, 32, who was fined RM5,000 in the Kuantan Syariah High Court on July 20 and sentenced to being caned six times. She had pleaded guilty.

During Question time this morning, he asked the prime minister to state whether the Syariah Court has complete freedom and integrity in reaching its verdict and whether it can impose sentences without interference.

NONE In a supplementary question, he commented that he "cannot stand it when non-Muslims insult the laws of Islam", citing the views of various NGOs on the Kartika ( right ) case.

"The Syariah Court is significant for the affairs of Muslims, everyone knows that. But it is regretful when the punishment handed down by the court is disputed by certain parties that try to interfere, try to insult and try to dismiss Islamic laws," he said.

Mohamad asked if it could be deemed contempt of court when Syariah Court decisions are disputed.

"I want the interference in Islamic affairs, especially by non-Muslims, to stop. (Otherwise) it will become a different matter that will affect the feelings of Muslims and could cause unrest and chaos," he said.

"Leave it alone... the Syariah Courts has its penalties which are accepted by Muslims. What business do non-Muslims have to step in?"

In her reply, deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mashitah Ibrahim said such decisions should be respected by all quarters, but noted that Kartika's case had sparked a controversy because she is to be the first woman to be punished for the offence.

‘It's hypocrisy'

Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim (PKR-Permatang Pauh) then interjected, saying "the question here is not about people questioning Islam" but about ensuring that justice prevails regardless of race or religion.

He asserted that Syariah Court rulings can be questioned by Muslims and non-Muslims alike, if this is intended to restore confidence in the system.

"If the issue is drinking alcohol, then big figures, the famous, sometimes drink alcohol (but) those penalised are powerless people... and this, the people will question," he argued in a supplementary question.

"This is not about questioning the Quran. This is called hypocrisy or inconsistency in the system. What is disputed is implementation of the laws..."

anwar ibrahim enters parliament building as mp 280808 10 Anwar ( left ), also touched on the case of former Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, who was charged today with delivering a religious talk without authorisation from the Selangor Islamic authorities.

Without naming Asri, he said the authorities appear to be more concerned with tauliah (authorisation) than with the credentials of a religious scholar and a former mufti.

Mashita, herself an ulama (scholar), responded that credentials alone do not give anyone " a big license" to deliver sermons or to preach on Islam.

Anwar: "So, he has licence to be a mufti, but no licence for tauliah ?"

Mashita: "Even if you drive a car well on the road but don't have a licence, the police will arrest you. The same can be applied here."

This drew flak and jeers from around the House, forcing Deputy Speaker Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar to call for calm.

"Why are all of you so noisy? If we are brave to speak but not brave to listen, then we are not courageous enough," he remarked.