PETALING JAYA: DAP MP Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham’s recent proposal for non-Muslim experts to be included in the special syariah laws committee is baseless, says Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar.
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) said a special committee has already been established to review the competency of the state assemblies to draft syariah laws.
The committee, he said, had its first meeting on Dec 5 on issues related to the competency of the state assembly and the jurisdiction of the Syariah Court as provided for under the Federal Constitution.
The committee, headed by former chief justice Tun Zaki Azmi, comprises experts including former Federal Court judges, representatives from the Attorney General’s Chambers, legal practitioners, representatives from the state religious departments, and academics.
Stating their stance: (From left) Ngeh, Mohd Na’im and Loke.
“All members appointed to the committee are experts in the Federal Constitution, civil as well as syariah laws, and are qualified to study and provide views and proposals on the best and harmonious solution to all issues that have arisen to strengthen the syariah laws and judiciary system in the country,” he said in a statement yesterday.
In a statement on Thursday, Ngeh said it was important to appoint non-Muslim constitutional experts to the committee so that non-Muslim views with regard to the provisions in the Federal Constitution could be taken into account before proposals for changes in the laws are made.
In November, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government would form the special committee sanctioned by the Conference of Rulers. The formation of the committee was announced on Dec 5.
Anwar said the rulers have consented to the committee studying ways to enhance the powers of the Syariah Court over Muslims while ensuring that it will not affect non-Muslims.
Mohd Na’im added that the findings and proposals of the committee will be brought to the Conference of Rulers and the National Council for Islamic Affairs Malaysia (MKI).
“Therefore, the Beruas MP’s proposal for the appointment of non-Muslim experts to the special committee has no basis,” he said.
The religious affairs ministry, he said, handles matters related to the administration of Islamic affairs and will always refer to the MKI and state religious affairs authorities.
He urged all parties to refrain from making statements that could spark public concerns.
He also called on all parties to have full confidence and give the special committee space to conduct its role professionally and effectively.
Meanwhile, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke called the statement by Ngeh “an oversight”.
Loke noted that the MKI chaired by the Sultan of Selangor has formed the special committee to study the proposal to strengthen the role of the Syariah Court.
“It must be stressed that the establishment of the special committee was not decided by the Cabinet but by the MKI, to whom its reports directly.
“I am aware that Ngeh’s statement will create a polemic that DAP is interfering in Islamic affairs.
“This is not at all true as DAP respects the wisdom of the Sultan of Selangor in making any decision on the affairs of the MKI,” he said in a statement.
Loke, who is Transport Minister, said non-Muslims should not be concerned about the issue as any amendment involving their rights has to be fine-tuned and decided by the Cabinet and the due process to be carried out in Parliament.
“The DAP is committed to the principle of mutual respect and harmony among races and religions, which is our responsibility.
“Let’s end 2023 with a harmonious spirit and contribute to the progress and well-being of Malaysia in 2024,” he added.
