Will govt uphold syariah law with two-thirds majority, Muhyiddin asks

BERSATU AGM | Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin today asked if the government will use its two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat to strengthen the position of syariah law by amending the Federal Constitution.

In his presidential address, the former prime minister alleged that there were attempts at challenging the status of existing syariah enactments.

He noted ongoing deliberations by a nine-member Federal Court bench in the review filed to nullify 18 Kelantan syariah criminal provisions.

“That is the purview of the court and learned judges that we must respect. But our country practises separation of powers.

“And so, although the court has powers to interpret the law, the power to enact and amend laws, including constitutional amendments, lies in the hands of the Parliament.

“That means the Parliament can at any time amend the Federal Constitution to ensure that existing syariah laws will not be declared null and void by a court,” said Muhyiddin.

He was speaking to Bersatu delegates gathered at the IDCC Convention Centre in Shah Alam, Selangor.

The Pagoh MP noted that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s Pakatan Harapan-led federal administration controls two-thirds of the Dewan Rakyat and could secure support to table and pass amendments to the Federal Constitution.

However, he claimed Anwar’s commitment to uphold the status of syariah law remains in doubt.

“Will the government do it? I apologise, but I am very doubtful.

“Why do I say I’m doubtful? Because the government of the day is not a government led by a party that struggles to uphold Islam,” claimed Muhyiddin.

He argued that it is important for the government to amend the Federal Constitution and prevent an alleged “grand design” agenda to turn Malaysia into a secular country that entirely separates religion from state.

‘DAP controls govt’

In questioning the government’s commitment, Muhyiddin took shots at DAP, the party in the coalition government that holds the most seats in Parliament.

“It will be impossible for DAP, which now controls the government, to allow the government to table a constitutional amendment bill in Parliament to uphold syariah law.

“In fact, the action of parties that challenge syariah law in the country is very aligned with DAP’s struggles,” he claimed.

Perikatan Nasional led by Bersatu and PAS recently mobilised supporters on Monday (Nov 20) at the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya.

Their rally was to object to a review filed by lawyer Nik Elin Zurina Nik Abdul Rashid and Tengku Yasmin Nastasha Tengku Abdul Rahman.

Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, who presided over the Federal Court hearing that day, reminded all parties that the issue is not about undermining the position of Islam or syariah courts in the country.

She said the issue is about the competency of the Kelantan government to enact the impugned provisions.

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