Malaysia’s raison d’etre at stake
YOURSAY ‘Certain principles of the constitution are cast in stone.’
Muslim scholars push for constitutional changes
Fair Play: If the Federal Constitution is to be amended as suggested by these 'Muslim scholars' the raison d'etre for Malaysia will no longer exist.
To change the very fabric of the constitution that led to the formation of Malaysia, including Sarawak and Sabah, would require a referendum with 100 percent acceptance.
Simply stated, the very fabric of the constitution is cast not only stone, but more likely with reinforced steel.
Vijay47: It would seem that any proposal that considers the concerns and interests of all parties, including and especially the minorities, would be welcome.
I have only two issues to comment on. The 'Eminent 25', in making an open statement, reflects their lack of faith in ‘closed-door’ meetings where deliberations will either be distorted by the ultras or never will see the light of day.
Secondly, the group's comments on ill-advised aspects of Malaysian Islamic laws “is serious as it reflects on the competence of state governments and the attorney-general". Nothing could be closer to the truth.
Events have clearly revealed how biased and dangerous the government can be. We have retired judges stating shocking positions on legal matters, an IGP (inspector-general of police) who claims his hands are tied due to conflicts between syariah and civil laws, and an AG (attorney-general) who justifies urgings to burn the Bible as merely protecting the sanctity of Islam.
How can any sane person agree with or respect public servants of this calibre and mentality?
David Dass: No amendments are required. The constitution, as it was drafted in 1957 (with amendments required for Malaysia and to entrench fundamental rights following 1969 troubles), reflects the best compromise for Malaysia and its diverse peoples.
I would question the motives of these Muslim scholars. They are not really concerned with the rights of minorities.
They want to alter the fundamental structure of the constitution. We are a secular country with Islam as our official religion. Freedom of worship is a guaranteed right and we are all equal under the law.
All our rights devolve from the constitution, which is declared the supreme law of the country. No one whether, Muslim or non-Muslim, is placed above the other and no one religion is placed above the other. That structure works for us.
Anonymous #559621903: “The charge is serious as it reflects on the competence of the state governments, state legal advisers and the attorney-general," said Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisation (Mapim) president Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid.
Let us not forget that state governments, legal advisers and the AG are only human, not paragons of virtue and perfection who can do no wrong.
I respect religion, but human interpretation is not always perfect. That is why even among the same religion, there are different interpretations and people go to war and kill over it.
We ought to distinguish between perfection of the holy texts and the perfection of the humans who interpret and implement it.
Anonymous #559621903: It is true that the constitution is not cast in stone but the holy text can be said to be God's word. However, in implementing God's law, the element of human interpretation still comes in and human involvement is fraught with weaknesses.
Chipmunk: The Federal Constitution is sacrosanct and is not to be amended to the likes of anyone for that matter. None of these Muslim scholars are competent to amend any one part of the constitution just because they think that Muslims are left out.
Please go check with PM Najib Razak and his administration on the abuse of this constitution for their survival in order to stay in power and drain the country of its natural resources.
I have to agree with Mohd Azmi on one thing and that is, "When a person wants to talk about a certain issue, he or she must be qualified in the discipline and have depth of knowledge."
But why is it that when sermons are preached in the mosque, they belittle and condemn other religions? Does Islam teach Muslims to condemn other religions?
Jiminy Qrikert: The opening salvo by the G25 was a plea for moderation underscored by their stand that Islamic justice is the highest standard of justice even as they proclaim the Federal Constitution as the supreme law of the land.
In simple terms, the G25 have elevated the status of Islamic law over that of human-made laws couched in a rambling statement exhorting the Najib administration to reject the extremism of misled Muslims.
They did not call for Islamic law to be made the supreme law of Malaysia nor did they call for amendments to the constitution. That was not their objective. Their purpose was to initiate intellectual discourse, to open the door for this G33 (Muslim scholars) to step in and make the call for Islamic laws to be the law of the nation.
Otherwise, why would the G25 overlook all of the atrocities committed by the Umno-BN regime all this while, from rampant corruption to institutionalised discrimination and blatant racism in the PDRM (Royal Malaysian Police)?
Why only now and why only focus on Islam? Religion is to Najib what race was to Mahathir.
Hibiscus: As it is, Muslim extremists and bigots have been trying to hijack the constitution at the expense of non-Muslims. They even blatantly misinterpret the constitution and when it suits them, even go against it.
Therefore, any call to change the constitution by Muslims will surely be viewed with deep suspicion by non-Muslims.
The economy is already giving many people headaches. Are these scholars so well-fed that they have nothing to do other than to talk about changing the constitution to achieve their religious agenda?
Whatif: “Do you see Buddhists and Christians doing it? They respect the fact that they are mere followers and are not experts in the particular religions,” said Mohd Azmi.
I believe adherents of other religions do question about their respective beliefs but their religious leaders would use the soft approach in explaining and educating the followers on the tenets of their religion.
Force could not be used as the more coercion is used, the adherents would move further away from the faith. That is human nature.
Bamboo: Scandinavian countries like Norway, Denmark and Sweden are deemed more Islamic without Islamic laws. Their secular laws, which are the same for all its citizens have created a more egalitarian society, with everybody working for their own keep, paying taxes and enjoying the social security.
While the Islamic countries are authoritarian, with moral policing controlling its citizens, discrimination against its women - while the elites commit all unIslamic deeds like drinking alcohol, adultery and abuse public money without been made accountable.
Any sane person would like to live in countries like the Scandinavian countries instead of Islamic countries. As it is, the religious bodies like Jakim, Jais and Mais have already overstepped the boundaries of their power.
Malaysia will go down a slippery slope if more syariah laws are incorporated in the constitution.
Hplooi: Certain principles of the constitution are cast in stone. Otherwise this enterprise Malaysia (previously Malaya) is dead.
The equal partners of Malaysia should take note that where the original constitution is changed the consenting states have the option to secede as the original agreement is now being voided.
Msian1st: If someone from opposition or non-Muslims voice out about constitutional changes, they will get sedition charges.
Baiyuensheng: Just heard the BBC news on the Sydney hostage about a witness on an encounter in a train.
It goes like this: A Muslim woman with her hijab was sitting in the train and because of the hostile stares from others (due to the hostage situation), she felt compelled to remove her hijab. But just as she was doing it, a woman went to her and asked her to put it back on and offered her that she will walk her back. The Muslim woman burst into tears.
After listening to this, tears also welled up for me. You know, moments like this make us feel human and everyone should be inclusive. It’s moment like this, I feel closer to myself.
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