Some said it reflects badly on Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's leadership while others call on the ministers concerned to resign since their voices are not heard.


Opposition Leader, Lim Kit Siang

I think it has come as a surprise because the various cabinet ministers both Muslims and non-Muslims have been talking about amendments to clarify the issue.

The memorandum by the 10 ministers already reflect the gravity of the situation. The fact that the PM did not heed to their suggestion is all the more shocking. I am sure all those who had vested high hopes on the premier would be taken aback.

The prime minister should have had fullest consultation before jumping the gun and thus he should reconsider. The question of access to Syariah Court for non-Muslims was never part of the social contract. The social contract states that the Syariah Court would not impede the rights of non-Muslims.


Nasharuddin Mat Isa, PAS deputy-president

This whole event is a big shame for Pak Lah, he is not in full control of the ministers around him. As far as the issue is concerned, it is a very provocative act by the 10 ministers. To us, what is already stated in the federal constitution has already been accepted. The act by the 10 ministers shows that they have no trust in the constitution and they are also challenging the position of Islam.

How he (Pak Lah) administers is sad. The ministers should have just discussed the matter with the premier but they have made it known to the public and have to bear the consequences.


Yeo Yang Poh, Bar Council chairperson

Subsidiary laws need to clarify the position of the civil and syariah courts and make available remedy in line with the rights of the freedom of belief.

There is a problem in principle to require a non-Muslim to submit to the jurisdiction of a court that applies an entire different principle, rules of procedure, evidence, which are not applicable to them. Similarly, we should not expect Muslims to be tried under Christian or Buddhist laws.


Rev Wong Kim Kong, National Evangelical Christian Fellowship Malaysia secretary-general

What we are interested in is whether the government understands the problem faced by the non-Muslim community. They must provide laws to ensure that members of the family will not be affected by the conversion of one individual in the family and that legal redress at the civil court must be available for all individuals.

We also need to know how the government intends to safeguard the rights of the non-Muslims.

Non-Muslim rights must be accorded accordingly and members of the family must be protected fully. As long as the government provides such a thing and the loopholes in the interpretation of laws are looked into, what they do with Article 121 (1A) is not the main issue.

I hope the government resolves the issue by coming up with legal provisions, not lip service.


A Vaithilingam, Malaysia Hindu Sangam president

As far as we are concerned, it's very disappointing. The prime minister has made a hasty decision when the memorandum was sent only two days ago. Since he is looking into other laws, it's difficult for us to comment in detail at the moment.


P Wathya Moorthy, Hindu Rights Association Force (Hindraf) chairperson

By taking this dangerous and unprecedented step, the ministers appear to indicate to the Malaysian public that an issue of utmost importance that affects the basic human rights of the non-Muslim community are matters which should be tackled from the outside and not inside.


M Manoharan, lead counsel for M Moorthy's widow S Kaliammal

All the 10 ministers who signed the memo to the PM should resign en bloc and leave BN (Barisan Nasional) because from the way the PM has stated that he would not amend the constitution suggests that the PM is refusing to listen to his compatriots and decides unilaterally and thus refusing to allow Parliament to decide on the matter.

It looks like the PM is dictating what the Parliament and BN should do. In other words, Umno is deciding the policies and wishes of the people.


P Uthayakumar, human rights lawyer

The statement made by the prime minister shows that he is completely sidelining the views of the non-Muslims. Furthermore, the memorandum sent by the 10 non-Muslim cabinet ministers shows that Umno is ruling by majoritarian might, rendering the 10 as mere puppets.

The 10 ministers had no choic but to come out with the memo and make the matter public because they cannot get anything done from within the cabinet. It is about time for the major component parties of the BN to leave the coalition since they cannot function as a coalition anyway.


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.