In a statement, bureau chairman Ti Lian Ker said he was alarmed by PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan’s explicit threat to derail the long-awaited and much-needed amendments to the LRA in retaliation for “non-Muslim interference” in Hadi’s Bill seeking to enhance the sentencing powers of shariah courts.
“There is no such thing as a quid pro quo arrangement when it comes to the constitutional rights of all Malaysians, be they Muslim or non-Muslim, as envisaged and intended by the drafters of the Federal Constitution from the Reid Commission.”
Ti said the tit-for-tat threat was hitting below the belt.
“It is clear that PAS’ intended maltreatment and oppression of ethnic and religious minorities and women will be similar to that of the likes of IS (Islamic State).
“The proposed amendments to the Act are a government-initiated Bill to enable Muslim converts to seek dissolution of his or her marriage in a civil court, and also to ensure the matrimonial obligations to the ex-spouse, as contracted by under the Act, are maintained.
“For too long, abandoned non-Muslim spouses have been deprived of the protection of the civil courts or the police.”
Ti said Hadi’s Bill to amend Act 355 discriminated against female victims of sexual assault as well as Muslim criminal offenders, who face harsher punishments under hudud law.
“Criminal codes must apply equally to all perpetrators.”
Furthermore, he said PAS was confused about the Penal Code, which applied to everybody in Malaysia, be they citizens or foreigners, Muslim or non-Muslim.
“This is the opposite of religion, which is a personal conviction whereby converts have exploited the state religious departments and shariah courts to unilaterally convert minors and gain custody.
“The proposed amendments to the Act seek to prevent further abuse of the sacred religion of Islam and judicial misinterpretation of Article 121(1A) of the Federal Constitution.
“There have been cases of non-Muslims advised by judges to seek remedy in the shariah courts where they cannot appear as they have no locus standi, or judges who had abrogated their judicial duties, but refused to make a ruling citing that anything involving Islam must be referred to the shariah court even though a party in the proceedings is non-Muslim.”
Ti said PAS must know that as elected representatives, its duties and roles are to serve all Malaysians, irrespective of religion.
“PAS’ warning clearly discriminates against non-Muslims and favours hardline Muslims without consideration for Muslim criminals and Muslim women.
“Will the Muslim opposition publicly declare if they will support PAS’ efforts to derail the proposed amendments to the Act, or will they be bold like MCA and vote against Hadi’s Bill?”