ONE wonders if this is sheer paranoia or simply a publicity stunt to win the heart of PAS supporters.
After months of silence – probably due to incessant police probe for his numerous seditious remarks – PAS president Tan Sri Hadi Awang has challenged the unity government that Perikatan Nasional (PN) will act if the present administration allows the actions of a few individuals to challenge the Islamic legal system in this country.
The Marang MP further justified his call by claiming that such lackadaisical attitude on the part of the unity government “will ultimately invite the anger of Muslims”.
According to him, PN will be a vehicle for mobilising the people’s support for efforts to defend the integrity of Sharia law, therefore defending the dignity of Islam in this country.
“I warn the government since this affects Muslims, Allah Almighty and the Malay rulers, we will act if the current government does not intend to act,” Hadi issued the ultimatum during the Budget 2024 debate in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday (Oct 24).
“How do we act … just wait and see, if under reasonable circumstances that the matter is taken to court, we shall go (to court) or wherever else … God willing until we succeed in defending the dignity of Islam.”
However, the controversial Muslim cleric caveated that the action to be mooted by PN will in no way deny the rights of non-Muslims as the matter is already enshrined in the Federal Constitution whereby freedom of practicing religion other than Islam is guaranteed.
Previously, Kelantan-born lawyer Nik Elin Zurina Nik Abdul Rashid and her daughter Tengku Yasmin Natasha Tengku Abdul Rahman have challenged the Kelantan Shariah Criminal Code Enactment (I) 2019 in an effort to declare 20 provisions of the offense in the enactment null and void.
Interestingly, several civil groups have stated their stance that all laws, including state Shariah laws, are subject to the same law-making process.
“Article 4(4) of the Federal Constitution allows the validity of a law to be questioned based on Parliament or a state legislature’s competency to enact a law in court through a judicial review application,” they justified.
The groups – Justice for Sisters, Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), Sisters in Islam (SIS), Freedom Film Network, Association of Women Lawyers and Kemban Kolektif – said the Nik Elin Zurina Nik Abdul Rashid vs Kelantan case is not challenging the practice of the Islamic faith in Malaysia.
“Instead, they are challenging the constitutionality and validity of state Shariah laws that were enacted by the Kelantan Legislative Assembly,” they added. – Oct 25, 2023
