Include Non Muslim Experts On Special Shariah Law Panel Says Mp

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Beruas MP Ngeh Koo Ham said non-Muslim constitutional experts and a Malaysian Bar representative should be appointed to the special committee studying the conflicts between shariah laws and the Federal Constitution.PETALING JAYA: The committee studying the conflicts between shariah laws and the Federal Constitution should include non-Muslim constitutional experts, Beruas MP Ngeh Koo Ham said.
His comments follow 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.
During the same session, religious affairs minister Na’im Mokhtar said a former chief justice has been selected to lead a special committee tasked with examining matters related to the division of authority between federal and state jurisdictions, especially concerning the competency of state assemblies in formulating shariah laws.
In a statement today, Ngeh said he noticed that all members of the committee are Muslims.
“It is important to also 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,” he said.
He said it is also imperative to have a representative from the Malaysian Bar on the committee as it is a statutory body established to ensure that proposed laws are fair and just.
“The constitution is well-crafted, (it is) the supreme law of our land holding our diverse nation together.
“It takes into consideration the interests of all races, religions, languages, cultures, regions, the position of the rulers, and the rights and protection of the common man.
“Any attempt to change the position of any race or religion that affects the other races and religions must be discussed thoroughly to avoid conflict,” he said.
On Dec 5, former chief justice Zaki Azmi was appointed chairman of the special committee to review the competency of the state assemblies to enact Islamic laws.
The committee members include former federal court judge Zawawi Salleh; Selangor Islamic religious council member Salehuddin Saidin; and chief shariah judge of the Melaka shariah court Nadzri Abdul Rahman. - FMT

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