The call by 10 non-Muslim ministers to review laws pertaining to religious conversions has touched a raw nerve in PAS.

The Islamic opposition party describes this as a "direct challenge on Islam" and makes its discontent known during a 10-minute demonstration outside the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) office in Kuala Lumpur today.

"We do not agree with the 10 ministers ganging up on the prime minister. What is the purpose of doing so when the matter could have been resolved during the cabinet meeting?

"It means they are challenging the federal constitution," said PAS central committee member Dr Hatta Ramli amid cheers from the 500-strong crowd.

One of the demonstrators, who declined to be named, told malaysiakini that this would not had happen under the rule of former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Uphold Article121 (1A)

The peaceful demonstration began at the national mosque after Friday prayers. Led by PAS vice-president Muhammad Sabu and Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub, the crowd marched past Dataran Merdeka before arriving at the Suhakam office in Menara Tun Razak.

The demonstrators carried placards and banners, among others, calling on the government to uphold Article 121 (1A), which forbids the civil courts from intervening in syariah matters.

Salahuddin also submitted a memorandum to Suhakam commissioner Prof Hamdan Adnan urging the human rights watchdog to safeguard the rights of Muslims.

According to the memorandum, the issues which presently infringe the rights of Muslims include:

  • The 'second class' status of the syariah legal system as there is no attorney-general specifically for syariah courts.

  • Penal Code superceding Islamic criminal law.

  • Cabinet obstructing the Federal Islamic Authorities from establishing 'snoop squads'

Meanwhile, Hamdan said Suhakam commissioners will be meeting on Monday to discuss the issue of religious conversions and will submit its findings to the relevant authorities.

National security

During a dialogue between party leaders and Hamdan earlier, Muhammad Sabu warned that the controversy surrounding deceased Everest hero M Moorthy could endanger national security.

"There are certain quarters who are asking for Article 121 (1A) to be amended. Doing so is not a challenge to the Syariah Court alone, but is a challenge to Muslims and our religion," he said, adding that Muslims have never infringed the rights of non-Muslims.

Later, Salahuddin told reporters that Article 121 (1A) is a provision enshrined in the federal constitution which cannot be questioned, thus PAS suggests that new laws be created to cater for the needs of non-Muslims.

"While Article 121 (1A) must be maintained, there is still opportunity for the parliamentary process for the creation of new laws to protect the rights of the non-Muslims," he said.

The non-Muslim ministers' memorandum which was submitted on Wednesday by Housing and Local Government Minister Ong Ka Ting was signed by all non-Muslim ministers, except Tourism Minister Leo Micheal Toyad who was overseas.

The other eight were Transport Minister Chan Kong Choy, Human Resources Minister Dr Fong Chan Onn, Health Minister Dr Chua Soi Lek, Works Minister S Samy Vellu, Energy, Water and Communications Minister Dr Lim Keng Yaik, Plantation Enterprises and Commodities Minister Peter Chin, and Ministers in the Prime Minister's Department, Bernard Dompok and Maximus Ongkili.