KUALA LUMPUR: The agreement signed between Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) can have a negative impact on the status of Islam as the religion of the Federation, and run contrary with the Constitution.
Former Chief Justice, Tun Abdul Hamid Mohamad, said the matter came to light after he was shown a copy of the agreement and the framework between PH and PPBM dated December 13, 2016.
Abdul Hamid said the agreement was signed by two sides - PH, comprising PKR, DAP, Parti Amanah Negara (PAN), and PPBM.
He said the agreement, inked in Petaling Jaya, was signed between PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (PKR); DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng (DAP); PAN president Mohamad Sabu and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin (PPBM).
“Clause 1(1) of the Agreement, among others, says that it will uphold the Federal Constitution, Islam as the religion of the Federation, and that other religions can be practiced ‘freely’ and in peace...”
“Observe how Article 3(1) of the current Federal Constitution provides that among others, Article 3.(1) Islam is the religion of the Federation; but other religions can be practiced in peace...”
“In this case, the word ‘freely’ has been added. What is the implication of this?” he wrote in his blog, http://www.tunabdulhamid.my.
Abdul Hamid said the implications of adding the ‘freely’ clause in the agreement is that non-Muslims would be allowed to propagate to Muslims, as it formed part of their religious beliefs.
In brief, he claimed, the reason behind adding the word ‘freely’ is to place other religions on the same level as Islam in terms of administration, including the use of government funds. It has to be stressed that all of these can be done under the administration without the need to amend the Constitution.