Former chief justice Ahmad Fairuz Abdul Halim said Article 8 of the Federal Constitution, concerning equality before the law, does not apply to attempts to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (Act 355).

At a conference yesterday, Ahmad Fairuz said Muslims are not asking for non-Muslims to be subjected to Islamic laws, according to Mingguan Malaysia.

"Muslims are happy to be subject to Islamic laws. Why are non-Mulims trying to apply equality in this matter?

"Muslims are not seeking equality in this matter," said Ahmad Fairuz, who was referring to Gerakan president Mah Siew Keong's argument against amending Act 355.