Siti Kasim Allow Malaysian Muslims To Choose If They Wish To Come Under Syariah Or Civil Law

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WHETHER this is constitutionally possible or otherwise, human rights activist and lawyer Siti Kasim has mooted the idea of Malaysian Muslims be accorded the choice if they wish to be governed under the syariah or civil law.
This comes in the wake of the public whipping of a repeat khalwat (close proximity) offender at a mosque in Terengganu yesterday (Dec 27) – an act deemed as a violation of human rights and rule of law by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM).
“They want to control us … For Malays who don’t wish to be governed under the so-called religious authorities, I propose that let us go under the civil law so we’re able to do whatever we deem fit in our lives,” appealed the orang Asli advocate in a Facebook video.

“If you don’t want to attend Christmas parties or any other deemed non-Muslim religious festivities, then don’t go … but don’t lump all of us together because all we’ve our own way of thinking.
“Whoever accepts and believe in hukum Allah (Allah’s law) can go ahead (to be governed under the syariah law) but don’t force people like us (liberal-minded Malay Muslims) to follow your way.”
On this note, Siti Kasim who is contemplating to kickstart a campaign on the matter reckoned that “it will not be a hassle to implement this since all of us have ICs (identity cards)”.
“If you’re happy to be whipped in public (for committing khalwat/adultery), please go ahead. But I’m sure there are also many Malays like me who feel that whatever we do, we shall shoulder the sins and confront Allah all by ourselves instead of fellow humans,” she asserted.
“Let us be free from this situation whereby we don’t have a say … Those who really believe in hukum Allah can continue to choose to lead their lives under the syariah law but those who don’t wish to shouldn’t be obliged to be subject to the fatwa by choosing to come under civil law.
“I always believe in freedom of choice … freedom to live in dignity as long as I can live my life without doing harm to others. I hope there’ll be a traction to my proposal for at the end of the day, I believe only God has the right to punish me for my sins, not humans.”
Looking for volunteers
In an earlier FB video, Siti Kasim has sought to look for a Malay Muslim Terengganu resident to challenge the state’s syariah enactment with regard to public whipping that was meted out on Mohd Affendi Awang, 42, at the Al Muktafi Billah Shah Mosque in Kuala Terengganu yesterday (Dec 27).

“I’m looking at a volunteer to challenge the syariah court ruling which is deemed unconstitutional by bringing the case to the civil court … obviously the best candidate is the man who had been subject to whipping,” she pointed out.
“This has nothing to do with opposing Islam for the very act of the public whipping itself is seen as un-Islamic given Islam is against publicly shaming or humiliating someone’s dignity.”
On a similar note, Siti Kasim is also seeking non-Muslim volunteers to challenge the Kelantan state ruling that all food and beverage (F&B) outlets in the state must possess halal certification.
“The candidate must preferably own a business in Kelantan or a frequent traveller to Kelantan to act as a litigant to facilitate our judiciary review at the civil court,’ she shared.
“(In both cases), you need not be present in the court or go public if you’re afraid (of public backlash) … We have lawyers on the ready to take this up on a pro bono basis. Contact me under this posting. We’ve three months.
“At the end of the day, I hope that there’re people out there who’re brave enough to sign up so as to prevent our beloved country from falling further into the Taliban path.” – Focus Malaysia

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