Umno information chief Ahmad Maslan reminded the Kedah state government not to introduce policies which may deviate from Malaysia's parliamentary democracy.

"Malaysia is a democracy, not a theocracy. That is an important distinction," he told reporters when met in Parliament today.

He urged the state government not to introduce such new measures which may sow confusion among the rakyat.

"We should refer such matters to Islamic authorities like Jakim and the Muslim (syarie) lawyers," he added.

NONE Ahmad ( left ) was commenting on the recent decision by the state government to enact a state legislation to prohibit anyone from challenging fatwas issued by the Mufti or the state fatwa board, in court.

Meanwhile, independent Pasir Mas parliamentarian and Malay rights NGO chief Ibrahim Ali has called the state decision an attempt to torpedo efforts by the NGO's lawyers to fight a state acquisition of the Al-Salihiyah surau and its land for development purposes

"Our lawyers have filed an affadivit in court and we found this matter. So they are caught now and have to pass the enactment to fight this," said the Pasir Mas MP though he did not elaborate how their affidavit involved a state fatwa.

Ibrahim argued that the state acquisition of the wakaf land does not have to happen as it need not be touched for the commercial development planned there.

"Architects nowadays are creative, they could build the mall without touching that small piece of land," he said.