FMT:
Umno leaders blast Ngeh’s shariah law committee idea
They warn the DAP man against ‘crossing the line’ and interfering in shariah law and other Islamic matters.
DAP’s Ngeh Koo Ham had suggested that non-Muslim constitutional experts be appointed to the committee reviewing the jurisdiction of shariah courts according to the Federal Constitution.
PETALING JAYA: Several Umno leaders have taken to social media to slam a suggestion by DAP’s Ngeh Koo Ham that non-Muslim constitutional experts be appointed to the committee reviewing the jurisdiction of shariah courts according to the Federal Constitution.
Critics of the suggestion included Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh and Abdul Halim Suleiman, the secretary of the party’s Johor chapter.
Describing Ngeh’s proposal as “very foolish”, Akmal said shariah laws only apply to Muslims, and that Ngeh was an example of a leader who failed to understand the sensitivities of Muslims in the country.
“Leaders like this are ‘thorns in the flesh’ of the unity government,” he said, urging DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook to decide whether to shield such leaders or maintain relationships within the government.
In his Facebook post meanwhile, Abdul Halim warned Ngeh and other non-Muslim DAP leaders against “crossing the line” and interfering in shariah law and other Islamic matters, saying it might affect the unity and harmony among the diverse communities in Malaysia.
“If DAP truly wants to continue improving and building a strong relationship within the unity government to strengthen Malaysia’s multiracial foundation, sensitive issues like these should not be raised again,” he said.
“You don’t need to meddle in the legal affairs of Islamic law, just as we do not interfere in the religious matters of other communities.”
In making the proposal yesterday, Ngeh said that involving non-Muslim constitutional experts would ensure diverse perspectives on proposed constitutional adjustments, fostering a more inclusive decision-making process.
Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zakarshi meanwhile took Ngeh to task over the latter’s suggestion that the Malaysian Bar be made part of the committee.
Puad claimed that the Bar was often biased against Umno, citing the body’s failure to challenge dropped cases beyond those involving party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“If there is concern about overlap, a non-Muslim legal expert can be considered as a member, but not for interference. As long as it’s not the Bar Council,” he
PETALING JAYA: Several Umno leaders have taken to social media to slam a suggestion by DAP’s Ngeh Koo Ham that non-Muslim constitutional experts be appointed to the committee reviewing the jurisdiction of shariah courts according to the Federal Constitution.
Critics of the suggestion included Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh and Abdul Halim Suleiman, the secretary of the party’s Johor chapter.
Describing Ngeh’s proposal as “very foolish”, Akmal said shariah laws only apply to Muslims, and that Ngeh was an example of a leader who failed to understand the sensitivities of Muslims in the country.
“Leaders like this are ‘thorns in the flesh’ of the unity government,” he said, urging DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook to decide whether to shield such leaders or maintain relationships within the government.
In his Facebook post meanwhile, Abdul Halim warned Ngeh and other non-Muslim DAP leaders against “crossing the line” and interfering in shariah law and other Islamic matters, saying it might affect the unity and harmony among the diverse communities in Malaysia.
“If DAP truly wants to continue improving and building a strong relationship within the unity government to strengthen Malaysia’s multiracial foundation, sensitive issues like these should not be raised again,” he said.
“You don’t need to meddle in the legal affairs of Islamic law, just as we do not interfere in the religious matters of other communities.”
In making the proposal yesterday, Ngeh said that involving non-Muslim constitutional experts would ensure diverse perspectives on proposed constitutional adjustments, fostering a more inclusive decision-making process.
Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zakarshi meanwhile took Ngeh to task over the latter’s suggestion that the Malaysian Bar be made part of the committee.
Puad claimed that the Bar was often biased against Umno, citing the body’s failure to challenge dropped cases beyond those involving party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“If there is concern about overlap, a non-Muslim legal expert can be considered as a member, but not for interference. As long as it’s not the Bar Council,” he
said.
***
***
FMT:
Ngeh misunderstood shariah law committee issue, says Loke
The DAP secretary-general says the party is not trying to meddle in Islamic affairs and is committed to maintaining national harmony.
The DAP secretary-general says the party is not trying to meddle in Islamic affairs and is committed to maintaining national harmony.
DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook said Beruas MP Ngeh Koo Ham had misunderstood the authority behind the establishment of the committee.
PETALING JAYA: DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook has sought to downplay the controversy stemming from Beruas MP Ngeh Koo Ham’s proposal to include non-Muslim constitutional experts in a committee studying the conflicts between shariah laws and the Federal Constitution.
Ngeh’s proposal follows a Nov 21 announcement in the Dewan Rakyat by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who said the government had approved the formation of a special committee endorsed by the Conference of Rulers to enhance the standing of the shariah court.
Insisting that the party is not trying to interfere in Islamic affairs, Loke explained that the committee was formed by the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs, and not by the Cabinet.
“I would like to clarify that Ngeh’s suggestion for the appointment of non-Muslim legal experts to be part of the committee is a mistake regarding (his understanding about the) authority behind the establishment of this committee,” he said.
“The committee was established by the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs, which is chaired by the Sultan of Selangor, with the aim of advising the council with proposals to strengthen the responsibilities of the shariah court.
“I am aware that Ngeh’s statement may stir controversy by suggesting DAP is trying to interfere in Islamic affairs. This is not true at all. DAP respects the wisdom of the Sultan of Selangor in making any decision regarding Islamic affairs.”
Loke also said although the committee reports directly to the council, any of its recommendations which involve amendments to the law must be brought to the Cabinet.
He said non-Muslims need not be concerned about the composition of the committee as any legal amendment involving the rights of non-Muslims must be scrutinised and decided by the Cabinet before following the “usual parliamentary process”.
In a statement yesterday, Ngeh, who is a lawyer by training, said he noticed that all members of the committee are Muslims.
He said it was important to appoint non-Muslim constitutional experts to the committee so that non-Muslim views about proposed adjustments to the constitution will also be taken into account before a proposal for any change in the law is made.
His proposal was slammed by Umno leaders such as Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh and Abdul Halim Suleiman, the secretary of the party’s Johor chapter.
Describing Ngeh’s proposal as “very foolish”, Akmal said shariah laws only apply to Muslims, and that Ngeh was an example of a leader who failed to understand the sensitivities of Muslims in the country.
In a separate Facebook post, Halim warned Ngeh and other non-Muslim DAP leaders against “crossing the line” and interfering in shariah law and other Islamic matters, saying it might affect the unity and harmony among the diverse communities in Malaysia.
“If DAP truly wants to continue improving and building a strong relationship within the unity government to strengthen Malaysia’s multiracial foundation, sensitive issues should not be raised again,” he said.
“You don’t need to meddle in the legal affairs of Islamic law, just as we do not interfere in the religious matters of other communities.”
PETALING JAYA: DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook has sought to downplay the controversy stemming from Beruas MP Ngeh Koo Ham’s proposal to include non-Muslim constitutional experts in a committee studying the conflicts between shariah laws and the Federal Constitution.
Ngeh’s proposal follows a Nov 21 announcement in the Dewan Rakyat by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who said the government had approved the formation of a special committee endorsed by the Conference of Rulers to enhance the standing of the shariah court.
Insisting that the party is not trying to interfere in Islamic affairs, Loke explained that the committee was formed by the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs, and not by the Cabinet.
“I would like to clarify that Ngeh’s suggestion for the appointment of non-Muslim legal experts to be part of the committee is a mistake regarding (his understanding about the) authority behind the establishment of this committee,” he said.
“The committee was established by the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs, which is chaired by the Sultan of Selangor, with the aim of advising the council with proposals to strengthen the responsibilities of the shariah court.
“I am aware that Ngeh’s statement may stir controversy by suggesting DAP is trying to interfere in Islamic affairs. This is not true at all. DAP respects the wisdom of the Sultan of Selangor in making any decision regarding Islamic affairs.”
Loke also said although the committee reports directly to the council, any of its recommendations which involve amendments to the law must be brought to the Cabinet.
He said non-Muslims need not be concerned about the composition of the committee as any legal amendment involving the rights of non-Muslims must be scrutinised and decided by the Cabinet before following the “usual parliamentary process”.
In a statement yesterday, Ngeh, who is a lawyer by training, said he noticed that all members of the committee are Muslims.
He said it was important to appoint non-Muslim constitutional experts to the committee so that non-Muslim views about proposed adjustments to the constitution will also be taken into account before a proposal for any change in the law is made.
His proposal was slammed by Umno leaders such as Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh and Abdul Halim Suleiman, the secretary of the party’s Johor chapter.
Describing Ngeh’s proposal as “very foolish”, Akmal said shariah laws only apply to Muslims, and that Ngeh was an example of a leader who failed to understand the sensitivities of Muslims in the country.
In a separate Facebook post, Halim warned Ngeh and other non-Muslim DAP leaders against “crossing the line” and interfering in shariah law and other Islamic matters, saying it might affect the unity and harmony among the diverse communities in Malaysia.
“If DAP truly wants to continue improving and building a strong relationship within the unity government to strengthen Malaysia’s multiracial foundation, sensitive issues should not be raised again,” he said.
“You don’t need to meddle in the legal affairs of Islamic law, just as we do not interfere in the religious matters of other communities.”
Eunuch politics.
ReplyDeleteJust like his old boss Kit Siang, he just wanted to take a dog at UMNO and Anwar. Tocause both Anwar and UMNO to lost suort of the malays.
ReplyDelete