Two-tier cabinet proposal insulting to non-Muslims, say Sarawak activists

Desmond Davidson Desmond Davidson Updated 8 years ago · Published on 5 Feb 2018 4:54PM · 2 Comments

Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian says Abdul Hadi Awang's proposal of a two-tier cabinet system implies that non-Muslims are not wise enough to think through good policies for the nation. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, February 5, 2018.

THE proposal for a two-tier cabinet separating Muslim and non-Muslim ministers is counter-progressive and will lead to greater division within Malaysia, Sarawak activists said today.

“It appears that the two-tier cabinet system implies that non-Muslims are not good and wise enough to think through good policies for the nation,” said Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian.

“This is absolutely absurd and unacceptable to any right-thinking Malaysian,” the Ba Kelalan assemblyman said in reaction to PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s proposal yesterday.

Abdul Hadi told a dialogue session that if the Islamist party wins in the next election, their administration would be divided into two – one is a cabinet made up of only Muslim policymakers, while the second would be made up of technocrats, who would include non-Muslims, to implement the government policies.

“Hadi’s proposal is misplaced in a democratic Malaysia as it brings in his theocratic ideology into a secular Malaysia.

“It is therefore in violation of the constitution, the supreme law of the land,” Baru said.

Political activist Peter John Jaban concurred with Baru’s view and said Hadi’s proposal runs counter to the accepted norm of a multiracial country, and particularly in Sarawak where Muslims make up only 25% of the population.

“Theocratic views like Hadi’s are what drives Malaysians to be fed up with race-based politics.

“It’s holding back the progress in our country.

“Malaysia is a multicultural nation and should be pushing towards a system of government that is blind to race and religion,” he said.

Jaban said Hadi’s proposal instead is driving the country towards “even greater division”.

“Surely, the only thing that matters is the ability to do the job well.

“Hadi’s proposal is the absolute opposite of a modern meritocracy.”

The Sarawak for Sarawakians (S4S) political activist said what Hadi is attempting to do, in the case of Sarawak, is to impose the rules and culture of a minority on the majority.

“It’s the very essence of colonialism.

“If this is Hadi’s aim, then I hope all Sarawakians will use their vote at the election to show PAS, and any parties that are in coalition with them, that Sarawak is a state of racial and religious harmony and equality, fit for the 21st century.

“This also one of the reasons why some Sarawakians are not keen on Malaysia,” Jaban said. – February 5, 2018

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Comments

  • Wow !!! Firstly I do not think we should worry too much about PAS ever getting power but what they have done is raise a very important issue facing all Malaysians .
    We should not forget that it was the British who abolished slavery in Malaysia . The slave owners in Malaysia never got over this . They believe that it is their right to freedom of religion to keep slaves . This comment by Hadi appears to reinforce the idea that there are those amongst us who believe that they are in fact gods with the right to keep other beings as property . I am not an atheist , I believe there is a spiritual unity that runs through all life . Religion has been ambushed to play on humanities lower emotions - the desire to be in control of that which is not within their right to control , purely flattering the egos of humanities worst . Unfortunately those who keep things such as respect sacred are intimidated to keep their mouths shut while the most primitive amongst us rise to positions of power . We are Malaysians and we will not allow this kind of rhetoric divide us as we forge a country based on the principles of respect for all life . Hadi , you are a disgrace to the human race , you are not special and do not have the right to rule .
    Back to the British thing , unfortunately when they left they did not ensure that slavery or the mentality of slave ownership was never allowed to rear it's ugly face again , unfortunately there are many British who would like to see a return to the days of slavery , some sick Protestant belief about suffering , yes suffering is part of life but our job is to help each other compassionately not to impose more suffering on our fellow human in the idea that we are somehow God's favourites so we can do to others as we please , acting like it is "God's will" that suffering be imposed by other humans . We are dealing with the lowest of the low . Stick together Malaysia , the malays were kept as slaves just as the "others" were . Let's fight for human dignity and equality together . One Malaysia , One humanity , One world . Peace .

    Posted 8 years ago by Horas returns · Reply

  • Those who think Hadi's PAS cannot get into power is premature. Hadi's PAS has a small window to do this if UMNO/ BN do not feel secure enough to be in power on their own. Only kicking out UMNO/ BN guarantees PAS never do this. otherwise it's real, possibly very soon.

    Posted 8 years ago by Bigjoe Lam · Reply