Why are non-Malay political parties tight-lipped on controversial Mufti Bill (FT) 2024?

Focus Malaysia:

Why are non-Malay political parties tight-lipped on controversial Mufti Bill (FT) 2024?

By Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy

IT WOULD be interesting to know the stance of multi-racial political parties such as DAP and PKR on the Mufti Bill (Federal Territories) 2024 which may soon proceed to its second and third readings in Parliament.

Although the legislation is intended for Muslims in the Federal Territories, its long-term effects on non-Muslims in the country cannot be dismissed.

Such legislation raises important questions about whether Malaysia remains a truly multi-religious and multi-ethnic society.

Some Muslim human rights activists and political observers have warned that while the legislation targets Muslims, there is no guarantee it won’t eventually affect non-Muslims.

Unfortunately, both DAP and PKR which adopt the view that the law only impacts Muslims have failed to alert non-Muslims to the potential long-term consequences.

Certain Malay leaders within DAP – perhaps acting as apologists for the bill – argue that the Bill mainly concerns Muslims.

Often viewed as symbolic figures within the party, they have not adequately addressed the broader implications of such legislation.

Some commentators have even suggested that Malaysia’s trajectory toward becoming an Islamic state is becoming clearer with the passage of such laws.

Comparisons with similar legislation in Sabah are overly simplistic and fail to address the complexities of the issue.


Hadi, Dr MAZA oppose Bill

Even PAS president Tan Sri Hadi Awang has called for the Bill to be re-considered, stating that it does not reflect the pluralism of Islam in Malaysia. In echoing his view, vocal Perlis Mufti Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin a.k.a. Dr MAZA argued that the Bill is heavily skewed towards the dominant school of Islamic thought in the country.

While little is expected from PKR on this matter, the silence from the DAP’s core leadership on the Bill’s implications for non-Muslims is troubling.

This has led to accusations that DAP – by prioritising power, positions and perks – has effectively abandoned its non-Muslim constituents.

Some have argued that DAP leadership has fallen into a trap set by UMNO Youth Chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh who warned of the repercussions for questioning Muslim rights in Malaysia.

Lastly, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim – in his bid to appease the Muslim bureaucratic and right-wing forces – may choose to sidestep the issue rather than challenge the appropriateness of the Mufti Bill (FT) 2024.

As I have argued earlier in my writings, Anwar will perform the proverbial role of an eel when it comes to certain controversial matters. – Oct 14, 2024



Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.