SIBU, Sept 10: Any law that is against the Federal Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, is null and void even if it is passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Sarawak Dayak Iban Association Rajang (Sadia-Rajang) chairman Bill Jugah said the tabling of the bills would cause a strain on the already-fragile political alliances make-up and reflects poorly on the standard of current lineup of ministers helming the nation.
It has been reported that four new shariah laws are being drafted by the Federal government including a bill for control and restrictions on the development of non-Muslim religions by Deputy Minister in Prime Minister (Religious Affairs) Ahmad Marzuk Shaary.
A Wakaf Bill, Mufti Bill and Syariah Court Bill are the other new laws being planned. The new laws are part of a five-year plan by the federal government in which 11 changes will be made to strengthen shariah laws, which will include amendments to existing legislation and eight subsidiary shariah laws, as part of the government’s “Empowerment Plan”.
Even if the bills are admitted for submission for reading in Parliament, Bill said the wisdom of the parliamentarians would prevail in choking this unconstitutional bill for further readings, otherwise it would show that these people representatives are not up to the expectations of their voters.
“With the still-sore political debacle and fragile credibility faced by the nation’s current cabinet lineup, the main goal should be more towards the nation’s health, social and economic recovery and not satisfying any political factions agenda,” he said in a statement today.
He asserted that Members of Parliament (MPs) and state assemblymen need to remember that as members of the cabinet, they are no longer serving only the need of their constituencies, political parties, and localised communities, but they also need to conduct the portfolio duties of the ministries in the interest of the whole populace.
“The nation’s efforts should be to position itself as a prime candidate for foreign investments, stimulate the economy and encourage inter-racial collaborative prosperity,” he said.
Sadia-Rajang is a body that defends the rights of citizenship, education, native land and other basic rights of the indigenous people, especially in Sarawak. — DayakDaily
