Koo Ham needs to apologise, retract nonsensical suggestion - Wan Ahmad Fayhsal

SHAH ALAM - Perak DAP Chairman Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham has been urged to retract his statement regarding the proposal to involve non-Muslim constitutional experts in the Special Committee to Study the Competence of the State Legislative Assembly in Enacting Islamic Laws.

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal described the statement made by the Beruas Member of Parliament as extreme and lacking in constitutional awareness.

He stated that, as a Member of Parliament, Koo Ham should be aware that matters related to Islamic affairs fall under the authority of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (YDPA) and the Malay Rulers.

"Islamic laws need to be deliberated, managed, administered and enforced solely by Muslims; they don’t affect non-Muslims at all.

"Koo Ham's suggestion could raise public concerns, especially among Muslims, because the involvement of non-Muslims in examining the competence of the State Legislative Assembly could be seen as an initial interference in Islamic affairs," he said in a statement today.

He made these remarks in response to Ngeh's proposal, which also mentioned that the step was to consider the views of non-Muslims before making any changes in the laws.

Wan Fayhsal pointed out that if Ngeh was genuinely concerned about the competence of the State Legislative Assembly in enacting Islamic laws, he could propose constitutional experts from the Muslim community.

"The question is, why does Koo Ham need to suggest non-Muslim constitutional experts join this committee?

"This committee has already received the consent of the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj, as the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia (MKI) Chairman and they have already begun their duties.

"Does he (Ngeh) realise that his proposal could raise concerns?

"Retract this nonsensical suggestion and openly apologise," added Wan Ahmad Fayhsal.