G25: Takiyuddin’s claim provocative and dangerous

PETALING JAYA: Despite various politically-fuelled suggestions, Malaysians should know the recent Federal Court decision on certain provisions of Kelantan’s syariah law had nothing to do with undermining the religion of Islam, says the G25.

The civil society organisation reminded all parties that the courts are entrusted by law to interpret the Federal Constitution.

PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan recently said it was a “Black Friday” for syariah law, in reference to the Federal Court ruling.

“He (Takiyuddin) said the decision would also threaten syariah laws. G25 views this as a highly provocative and dangerous statement, bordering on incitement,” said the group.

“Being a lawyer and a former minister for legal affairs under Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s administration, Takiyuddin should have known better.

“He ought to have advised the crowd to respect the judgment of the Federal Court and to take heed of the ruling, instead of taking the opportunity to make the judgment a political issue,” it said in a statement on Saturday.

On Friday, the Federal Court ruled that 16 provisions of the Kelantan syariah state law were unconstitutional.

In an 8-1 majority decision, the apex court allowed the application by a mother and daughter who had challenged 18 provisions under the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Code Enactment 2019.

The G25 said the Kelantan government should amend its syariah criminal code following the Federal Court’s judgement.

“The G25 fervently hopes the Kelantan government will take the Federal Court’s judgment in the right spirit and do the needful to amend the state Syariah Criminal Code by deleting the impugned provisions, so as to make the state enactment conform with the Federal Constitution.

“Every institution and every citizen must respect and abide by the court’s interpretation of the Federal Constitution.

“This is what the rule of law is all about.”