KUALA LUMPUR – DAP’s Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham today apologised after igniting a storm among Malay-Muslims on Thursday for suggesting non-Muslims as members of a special government committee on shariah laws.
Ngeh said when making the suggestion he had expected the committee would include proposals to amend the federal constitution.
“My suggestion is to ensure that all views are taken into account before any constitutional amendment proposal is made.
“As it has now been clarified that the special committee formed by the National Islamic Affairs Council is headed by the sultan of Selangor – which I was not aware of – I hereby withdraw my proposal and tender my sincere apology."
Beruas MP Ngeh, in his statement on Thursday, had said in addition to a non-Muslim constitutional law expert, a representative from the Malaysian Bar should also sit on the special committee to ensure fairness.
His remarks drew immediate flak from Malay leaders from both sides of the aisle, who accused him of provocation and of undermining confidence in the Malay rulers, who are the guardians of Islam in their respective states.
After that, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said Ngeh’s suggestion to have non-Muslims as members of the special committee on shariah laws was a “mistake”.
Loke also reiterated that the party supports the authorities behind the special committee’s establishment – including the Malay rulers as the guardians of Islam.
Religious affairs minister Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said Ngeh’s call had no merit, while Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah decreed that non-Muslims should not interfere in the country’s Islamic affairs.
This morning, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also said he fully supported the Selangor ruler’s statement, urging non-Muslims to write to the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs if they had any concerns about Islamic matters.
The special committee was announced earlier this month by Na’im to review the competency of state legislatures to create shariah laws, as well as the jurisdiction of the shariah courts as provided for under the federal constitution.
This followed Anwar’s announcement in the Dewan Rakyat last month that Putrajaya will create a committee, sanctioned by the Conference of Rulers, to elevate and strengthen the shariah legal system. – December 30, 2023
The post [UPDATED] I didn’t mean to meddle in Islamic matters: Ngeh sorry for shariah committee idea appeared first on Scoop.