Ibrahim Ali quotes from two previous High Court cases to make his point
PETALING JAYA: Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali today questioned Bar Council’s constitution committee chairman, Syahredzan Johan’s interpretation of the Federal Constitution and the status of Islam.
Yesterday, Syahredzan was reported by a news portal as saying that the Federal Constitution does not dictate Islam as Malaysia’s official religion.
Article 3(1) reads: Islam is the religion of the Federation; but other religions may be practised in peace and harmony in any part of the Federation. Syahredzan argued the term ‘official’ is not stated in the article.
In reaction, Perkasa had lodged a police report against Syahredzan and the news portal for saying that Islam is not the official religion.
In a press release today, Ibrahim said Syahredzan’s stance was an insult to Islam.
“Even though it is stated as the religion of the Federation, the effect is same as being the official religion because other religions are not mentioned in any part of the constitution,” he said.
He added that in two High Court judgements the interpretation was no other religion can be religion of the Federation, hence Islam is the official religion.
Ibrahim was referring to the case of Meor Atiqulrahman in 2000 where the judge explained Islam is a complete way of life.
“In Lina Joy case judgment in 2004, the court decided that Article 3(1) has a far wider and meaningful purpose than mere fixation of the official religion.” he said.
Ibrahim added that the judge in the Lina Joy case also spoke of Islam as “the main and dominant religion in the Federation which is the duty of the state to protect, defend and promote Islam.
“Islam carries the embodiment of the Federal Constitution without giving way to other religions even though followers of other faith can practice their faith,” said Ibrahim.
PETALING JAYA: Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali today questioned Bar Council’s constitution committee chairman, Syahredzan Johan’s interpretation of the Federal Constitution and the status of Islam.Yesterday, Syahredzan was reported by a news portal as saying that the Federal Constitution does not dictate Islam as Malaysia’s official religion.
Article 3(1) reads: Islam is the religion of the Federation; but other religions may be practised in peace and harmony in any part of the Federation. Syahredzan argued the term ‘official’ is not stated in the article.
In reaction, Perkasa had lodged a police report against Syahredzan and the news portal for saying that Islam is not the official religion.
In a press release today, Ibrahim said Syahredzan’s stance was an insult to Islam.
“Even though it is stated as the religion of the Federation, the effect is same as being the official religion because other religions are not mentioned in any part of the constitution,” he said.
He added that in two High Court judgements the interpretation was no other religion can be religion of the Federation, hence Islam is the official religion.
Ibrahim was referring to the case of Meor Atiqulrahman in 2000 where the judge explained Islam is a complete way of life.
“In Lina Joy case judgment in 2004, the court decided that Article 3(1) has a far wider and meaningful purpose than mere fixation of the official religion.” he said.
Ibrahim added that the judge in the Lina Joy case also spoke of Islam as “the main and dominant religion in the Federation which is the duty of the state to protect, defend and promote Islam.
“Islam carries the embodiment of the Federal Constitution without giving way to other religions even though followers of other faith can practice their faith,” said Ibrahim.
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