Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi warned non-Muslims not to interfere in Islamic affairs, less than a week after the Barisan Nasional coalition ditched a controversial bill to amend the Shariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965, or RUU355.

At the opening of the national Quran recital and memorisation assembly in Ayer Keroh, Malacca, Zahid said non-Muslims should not meddle as Islam was the official religion of Malaysia under the Federal Constitution.  

“If it is our right to decide our direction and our future. And if we want to uphold these laws among us, are we going to allow others to interfere in our affairs?” said Zahid yesterday.

 “We must stand firm to uphold God’s laws as prescribed by the Quran.”

After months of anxiety, BN president and Prime Minister Najib Razak said the government would not table the amendments to extend the shariah court’s jurisdiction.

Najib said the motion, also known as RUU355, would remain a private member’s bill and said it was up to the speaker’s discretion on whether to allow the motion to be debated in Dewan Rakyat.

RUU355, which seeks to extend the shariah court’s jurisdiction, was proposed by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

BN had earlier said it would adopt Hadi’s proposal and turn it into a government bill. The controversial motion proposes to amend several laws to allow the shariah courts to be able to mete out sentences of jail terms up to 30 years, RM100,000 fine and 100 strokes of the rotan.

 “Although we must be wise and handle matters in the best ways, should we tolerate it if someone enters our homes and starts questioning the way we pray although they are not from the same faith as us?” said Zahid, who was one of BN’s strongest supporters for RUU355.

 Zahid, who is also the home minister, asked the crowd to set aside their political differences and unite as Muslims to ensure that others could not challenge them.

 “Others must learn to respect us before we are asked to respect them. To each his own faith.”

 Zahid added that the “challenge” could be the result of Muslims being perceived as weak because of their different political affiliations. – April 4, 2017.