MCA rebuff Hadi's proposal to amend constitution

MCA has rebuffed a comment by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang (below) that the opposition, PKR-DAP-PAS, will amend the country's constitution by replacing "Islam is the religion of the Federation" to "Islam is Addin (a way of life)" after coming into power.

In a statement issued after the MCA Presidential Council meeting today in Kuala Lumpur, the party said the status of Islam in Article 3 of the Federal Constitution was sufficient and adequate as it protects Islam as the official religion.

"Non-Muslim minorities will not be able to insulate themselves from the ‘Islamic way of life' of the larger society. Even if their rights were demarcated clearly in such a society, they will still feel the pressure of having to conform to some of the socio-cultural demands of Addin.

"Besides, privileging the way of life of the majority will invariably lead to the psychological subordination of the religious minorities," the party said in the statement.

Therefore, MCA said when a way of life associated with the majority was presented in the constitution as the way of life of the nation, a barrier was erected, separating one group from the other and this explains why it was not wise to amend the constitution, to recognise Islam as Addin of the Federation.

The party also said the present formulation, "Islam is the religion of the Federation; but other religions may be practiced in peace and harmony in any part of the Federation" is adequate as the existing constitutional provision on religion was the best under the circumstances.

"MCA regrets that no other opposition pact leader had come out to object the decision or to assure Malaysians that they will not implement what Hadi has announced. There is total silence from DAP leaders. We challenge DAP and PKR to voice their objection," it added.

"MCA believes that if PAS planned to amend the Federal Constitution without considering the feelings of non-Muslims, it would have unnecessary pressure on non-Muslims, as they would be pressured to conform to social cultural needs dictated by PAS ulamas.

"MCA reiterates its position in supporting the spirit of the Federal Constitution and rejects any arbitrary changes, or even suggestions, that will affect the freedom and lives of Malaysians.

"We recognise Islam as the official religion of Malaysia and the rights of Muslims protected by the Federal Constitution and the syariah, but not PAS' theocratic state," said the statement.

'Not true' says Hadi

Meanwhile on Sunday, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang denied saying that the opposition will amend the federal constitution relating to Islam if it wins the general election.    

"Its not true. I didn't say it (amending the constitution). It’s the same constitution," he said commenting newspaper reports that the opposition will amend the constitution from Islam as official religion to 'addin' (way of life).    

Abdul Hadi said this this after a public rally with former information minister Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir in Bukit Tok Beng, Batu Rakit here last night.    

He was reported as saying that the constitution did not use Islam as 'Addin' and was designed by non-Muslims with ideology and human theory that was unfair to Muslims.    

It is alleged that Abdul Hadi made the statement when opening the 43rd annual meeting of Terengganu PAS Youth in Kubang Lembik near Kuala Terengganu.    

On another note, he said Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) deputy president Azmin Ali who is linked to a compromising video with a woman should be given the chance to clear his name.    

Abdul Hadi hopes that the media such as RTM and TV3 would give Azmin the opportunity to speak up on the matter.    

"I don't have the right to talk about it, let him do the talking himself... give him a chance. If he makes a denial, (via the press conference) I don't know whether the papers will carry it," he added.     

- Bernama