Kota Kinabalu: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) condemned Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) President Abdullah Zaik Abd Rahman for insisting that hudud should be enforced on everyone, including non-Muslims.LDP Supreme Council member cum Religion and Harmony Bureau chief Yew Chau Khiong labelled Abdullah Zaik's statement as seditious and irresponsible. He said Sabah, being a harmonious and moderate state, also strongly rejects the extreme Muslim non-governmental organization (NGO).
He also urged the police to arrest the Isma president under the Sedition Act 1948.
The controversial Muslim NGO had reportedly said hudud should be enforced on everyone, including non-Muslims.
"Hudud should be enforced on everyone, not just Muslims," Abdullah Zaik had said, while claiming that the Federal Constitution identifies Malaysia as Islamic and not secular, and that any attempts by parties to challenge this fact must be opposed.
The Islamic group leader also unapologetically labelled non-Muslim citizens as 'immigrants' and said that the Chinese and the British colonialists, whom he claimed to have intruded into Tanah Melayu to oppress the Malays, have no right to question or object how Malays and Muslims want Malaysia to be shaped.
Abdullah Zaik also maintained that only the Malays and bumiputeras enjoy special position and urged Muslims nationwide to safeguard the Islamic religion.
Yew said Abdullah Zaik's remarks have offended non-Muslims in the country, especially the Chinese community.
He said the State Government should ban individuals who repeatedly make seditious statements from entering Sabah.
"We also urge the police to arrest Abdullah Zaik under the Sedition Act 1948."
"We must send a clear message to the people and leaders that Sabah does not tolerate extreme culture," he said.
He said Abdullah Zaik's irresponsible statement will tear the society apart and destroy racial harmony, which in turn worsen religious tension in the country.
"I am personally disturbed and upset by Abdullah Zaik's remarks. Our people should be proud that Malaysia is a secular nation, which practices moderation, mutual acceptance and tolerance among races."
"We have been enjoying harmony in our diverse society all this while. Don't destroy that," he said.
Yew pointed out that Isma and Perkasa have been constantly putting out extreme remarks since both Muslims groups forged an alliance several years ago.
He said the Federation of Malaysia belong to the people of Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak.
"Malaysia does not solely belong to the Muslims or non-Muslims, bumiputeras or non-bumiputeras.
Neither does Malaysia belong to a particular political party nor political camp," Yew insisted.
As such, Yew said any action, attempt or intention to challenge or amend the foundation of Malaysia's formation, structure of the nation, Federal Constitution, judicial system, political or social contract in aspects involving the rights of the people could only be done with the majority support of all Malaysians.
On a similar note, Yew stressed that Malaysia is a secular country as entrenched in the Federal Constitution.
He reiterated that Sabah and Sarawak did not agree on theocracy and the implementation of hudud law when the Federation of Malaysia was formed in 1963.
Yew said individuals who backed the proposed amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (Act 355) insisted that the Act would not affect the non-Muslims in the country.
"However, in reality, the existing Syariah laws have already affected non-Muslims in Malaysia," he said.
He pointed out that the Sisters in Islam (SIS) has recently released a statement saying that the existing interfaith custody battles have disproved arguments that Syariah laws did not affect non-Muslims.
Citing the cases of M. Indira Gandhi and S. Deepa who both underwent high-profile custody battles with Muslim convert ex-spouses, SIS said this was just one of many reasons not to 'bulldoze' through PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang's Private Member's Bill.
"Abdullah Zaik's extreme remarks is worrying to non-Muslims. It will be very irresponsible for politicians if they choose to ignore the fear and concern of non-Muslims," he warned.
Yew pointed out that the tabling of Hadi's Bill to amend Act 355 was not a mere religious matter.
He said parties of both political divides should assume the same stand that any constitutional amendment should be done in accordance with the spirit of the Federal Constitution.
"If a precedent is set, other states will be equally affected. In the end, Malaysia will evolve into a theocratic nation and there is no turning back from that," he said. He said the people must strive to safeguard secularism and the Federal Constitution.
"I hope all Malaysians, irrespective of race and religion, will fight against extremism and uphold the spirit of our Federal Constitution," he added.
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