LAWMAKERS today spoke out against PAS’ two-cabinet proposal, saying the concept was contrary to the tenets on which Malaysia was formed. 

Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo said the Islamist party’s proposal to assign different roles to Muslims and non-Muslims in two cabinets undermined the basic structure of the federal constitution which advocated inclusiveness and equality. 

He said there was nothing in the federal constitution that supported such a plan.  

“Article 43 provides for the composition of one cabinet and not two. There is no division in that provision for the cabinet which deals with national policies and the other execute those policies.” said Gobind.

Gobind said mutual respect between all races must exist in nation building, adding that Malaysia must be shaped according to the vision of those who framed the federal constitution, in particular Article 8 and 43. 

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang yesterday said that under PAS rule, the Malaysian administration would be divided into two – the first being the cabinet that decided on national policies, which must consist of only Muslims, and the second, the executive cabinet to implement the policies, which members could be non-Muslims appointed for their expertise.

DAP Sabah chairman Stephen Wong said the proposal was dangerous and would create tension between Malaysians of various faiths. 

“We need to build a country with mutual respect for all races and religion as endorsed in the constitution,” said the Sandakan MP. 

Kapayan assemblyman Edwin Bosi advised Hadi to look back and reflect upon the spirit in which Malaysia was formed 55 years ago. 

The indigenous rights activist said Hadi clearly did not  understand the “spirit of Malaysia Agreement 1963” which was not for the setting up of  Malaysia as an Islamic state. 

He said Sabah and Sarawak would not have agreed to form the federation if the plan was to establish an Islamic country. 

“This is why Malaysia is a secular state,” he stressed. – February 5, 2018.