Former chief justice Abdul Hamid Mohamad said he was offered to lead the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) but turned it down as he feared becoming a traitor to his race and religion.


 "I was scared that I would become a traitor to the Malay race and Islam," Abdul Hamid is quoted as saying by
 
 Bernama
 
 today.


 He claimed he was not aware what the composition of the NUCC would be at that time but after it was announced, his concerns were proven right.


 "The Malay and Muslim members will not be able to defend the (bumiputera) position as provided in the Federal Constitution, nor will they want to defend it due to their liberal views.


 "Members who are from Sabah and Sarawak, particularly those who are Christians and are upset with Malays and Muslims in the peninsula due to the Allah issue, will also be in cahoots without realising their rights too will be eroded," Abdul Hamid said.


 
 Bigotry criminalised
 


 The spotlight has fallen on the NUCC as it is tasked by the government to draft a replacement law for the Sedition Act.


 &nbsp;


 The NUCC law reform and policy committee has come up with three draft bills, namely the Racial and Religious Hate Crime Bill, National Harmony and Reconciliation Bill and National Harmony and Reconciliation Commission Bill.


 &nbsp;


 The bills, if passed by Parliament, will among others, criminalise bigotry and limit discrimination to only what is provided for under the Federal Constitution.


 &nbsp;


 However, the proposed laws have come under heavy criticism from right-wing groups that claim the laws will erode the special position of the bumiputera community.


 &nbsp;


 The NUCC law reform and policy committee is headed by Parit Buntar MP Mujahid Yusof Rawa (
 
 right
 
 ) of PAS, and his deputy is former Bar Council president Lim Chee Wee.


 &nbsp;


 Weighing in on this, Abdul Hamid accused NUCC of being a platform for the opposition and described the Bar Council as being an opposition sympathiser.


 &nbsp;


 He added the norm is for the Attorney-General's Chambers to draft laws as instructed by the government which set out the policies.


 &nbsp;


 "Why is this practice not followed?" he said.


 &nbsp;


 Abdul Hamid said he was not against the opposition being consulted on matters but decisions on policy and drafting of laws should not be surrendered to them.


 &nbsp;


 "The BN government, particular Umno, as well as PAS will be responsible if these bills are passed and erodes the rights of Malays and position of Islam. Sabah and Sarawak leaders will also be responsible," he said.


 &nbsp;


 Abdul Hamid leads the National Unity Front, which was formed by Malay and Muslim NGOs including Perkasa. It is an alternative body to the NUCC.


 
 
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Ex-CJ Abdul Hamid Mohamad reveals why he turned down offer to head NUCC.


'To helm unity panel will make me Malay traitor'

~RM12

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