By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Oct 14: The call to abolish the Civil Law Act 1956 by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang warrants serious public scrutiny, with Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan urging Malaysians to remain vigilant in safeguarding religious freedom and constitutional democracy.
Voon said Malaysia’s multireligious and multicultural society requires laws and institutions that protect the legitimate rights of all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs.
“Our laws and institutions must protect the legitimate rights of all Malaysians, regardless of their religious beliefs. Any proposal to change our legal framework deserves serious public scrutiny, open debate and careful consideration of its consequences for every community.”
He stressed that the issue was not about opposing Islam or denying Muslims the right to practise their faith, but ensuring that no religious or political agenda undermines the Federal Constitution, the rule of law or the rights and freedoms of fellow citizens.
“We cannot preach about justice, peace and freedom on Sunday while remaining indifferent to the laws and policies that shape our lives throughout the week.
“Faith should guide our conscience, but civic responsibility requires us to be informed, vigilant and willing to speak up.
“If we care about preserving religious freedom, protecting our families and building a peaceful Malaysia for future generations, we must care about politics—not to impose our faith on others, but to ensure that no one’s faith is used as a justification to undermine the rights of others.”
According to a Malay Mail report dated Sept 9, Hadi had called for the abolition of laws he considered obstacles to the fuller implementation of Islamic law, specifically mentioning Civil Law Act 1956, the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (Act 355) and the constitutional division of legislative power.
The Civil Law Act 1956 provides for the application of English common law and rules of equity in specified circumstances where Malaysian written law does not provide an applicable rule. Article 4(1) of the Federal Constitution establishes the Constitution as the supreme law of Malaysia while the Ninth Schedule allocates legislative powers between federal and state governments, including defining the jurisdictional boundaries of Syariah courts.
Voon pointed out that any proposal to change the country’s legal framework should be subject to open debate and careful consideration of its implications for all communities. – DayakDaily
