PAS, Muslim lawyers group reject non-Muslim affairs minister idea

Summary

• PAS and the Malaysian Muslim Lawyers' Association reject Raub MP Chow Yu Hui's suggestion for a non-Muslim affairs minister.

• UPDATED 12.35PM | PAS Ulama Council argues the proposal reflects the flawed understanding of constitutional principles among DAP leaders.

• PAS Youth and Muslim lawyers group cite Constitution's provisions about Islam, but make no clear arguments about how a non-Muslim affairs minister would affect this.

An MP’s proposal for a minister in charge of non-Muslim affairs has raised the ire of PAS and Muslim lawyers.

PAS Ulama Council condemned the proposal, calling it an ill-conceived and irrational suggestion.

Its chief Ahmad Yahaya argued that the proposal reflects the flawed understanding of constitutional principles among DAP leaders, asserting that it undermines the rightful position of Islam in Malaysia.

"This appears to be a deliberate attempt to equate Islam with other religions in Malaysia.

"Islam is the official religion of the Federation, while the practice of other religions is allowed within constitutional boundaries," said the Pokok Sena MP in statement.

Ahmad (above) also claimed that DAP leaders previously made controversial remarks, including suggestions for a non-Malay prime minister and proposals to include non-Muslim constitutional experts in a special committee reviewing the legislative powers of state assemblies in enacting Islamic laws.

"Is there a strategic plan to sideline the Malay-Islamic foundation of the Federal Constitution and push the 'Malaysian Malaysia' agenda? Non-Muslim rights have always been protected under the government’s administration," he added.

In a separate statement, PAS Youth deputy chief Hafez Sabri said the Constitution outlines that Islamic matters fall under state purview with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and state sultans as the heads of Islam.

Hafez did not clarify how this relates to non-Muslim faiths or how a non-Muslim affairs minister would influence it.

He is the Manjoi assemblyperson in Perak. The state government has a non-Muslim affairs exco member while Sultan Nazrin Shah remains the head of Islam in the state.

‘It will upset balance’

The Malaysian Muslim Lawyers' Association also voiced objections citing the Federal Constitution.

The lawyer's group president Hisham Marzuki argued the suggestion went against the spirit of the Federal Constitution, in which Islam is the official religion while other faiths can be practised freely.

"The proposal to create a specific portfolio for non-Muslim affairs could potentially upset this balance and cause other serious constitutional implications," he said in a statement today.

He did not specify the possible constitutional implications from such a move.

Yesterday, Raub MP Chow Yu Hui proposed that the religious affairs minister portfolio be split - one for Muslims and one for non-Muslims.

He argued that the two ministers under the Prime Minister’s Department could effectively discuss related issues and prevent “unwanted controversy".

Unity Ministry can handle it

Hisham and Hafez said that there was no need for a separate portfolio on this matter, arguing that the National Unity Ministry was sufficient for handling interfaith matters.

Additionally, Hafez said the people are already living in harmony.

"This suggestion doesn't take into account the harmonious reality that Malaysians have been living in a respectful environment without the need for additional administrative structures which is divisive," he added.

The PAS Youth deputy chief's remarks was a departure from the wing's stance that there was a need for guidelines on interfaith events involving Muslims.

The government had argued that new guidelines were not necessary as Muslims can safeguard their own faith.

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