KUALA LUMPUR: The decree by Selangor's Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah will cool the political temperature following the Federal Court ruling involving the Kelantan syariah criminal enactment, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He was referring to the calls made by Sultan Sharafuddin, who is also the Malaysian National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs (MKI) chairman, for all parties to respect the decision made by the Federal Court on the matter.
In his speech at a 2024 Chinese New Year celebration here today, Anwar said the decree reflected the Sultan and the council's seriousness in defending the spirit and principles of the Federal Constitution.
"If there are any proposals and calls for action (to strengthen the syariah laws in the country), please refer to the committee (Special Committee to Review the Competency of the State Legislative Assemblies to Enact Islamic Laws.)
"We have appointed (former) chief justice Tun Zaki (Tun Azmi) to chair the special committee and review any issues raised by the states over the matter.
"The foundations of the Constitution should not be 'dirungkai' (disputed)," said Anwar in his speech at the event hosted by the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM).
Present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof; Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming; Human Resources Minister Steven Sim; Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul and ACCCIM president Tan Sri Low Kian Chuan.
The Constitution and the laws, said Anwar, must be respected since the country was based on the Rule of Law.
"The decision made by the federal court is based on its interpretation of the Constitution and the law.
"It has nothing to do with rejection of Islam and the syariah principles, which issue has been used, abused and criticised by some sections in the country," he said.
Anwar was referring to the verdict by the Federal Court which declared that 16 of the provisions in the Kelantan syariah criminal enactment as unconstitutional.
In his speech, Anwar also said he was aware that some Muslims in the country wanted syariah law to be given recognition.
"We did not dispute that some issues of the syariah law need to be strengthened.
"It must, however, go through a clear process as well as also given clear signal of general assurance that any attempts to strengthen the Syariah court will not be at the expense of the non-Muslims.
"The same (assurance) also applies to the role of the Courts and judicial system which is being practised today," he said.
Anwar added that stability meant that all Malaysians, irrespective of race, religion and creed, must respect not only the Constitution itself but "the spirit" of the constitution
"And the constitution protects the rights of every single citizen in this country."
