Home Web Specials Democracy at risk: Malaysia’s Mufti Bill sparks constitutional debate

Democracy at risk: Malaysia’s Mufti Bill sparks constitutional debate

A proposed law raises questions about religious freedom and constitutional democracy

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One of the principles of democracy is the acceptance of a synthesis of ideas for the common good of the country.

The moment ideas or thought processes are reduced to a single ideology, they could turn extreme and lead to oppression and injustice.

Written constitutional principles are important because they transcend ideology.

In this regard, the Mufti Bill (Federal Territories) 2024 is a cause for concern.

Even though the Mufti Bill is for the Muslim community, people in Malaysia should be concerned about the thought patterns and intentions behind the bill. The bill creates a certain immunity for a position besides adhering to a certain school of thought while rejecting other views contrary to its ideological framework.

This explains why even prominent leaders of the Muslim community such as the Perlis mufti – or even Pas president Hadi Awang – have criticised the bill.

The tendency to adhere to a single ideology is simplistic and inimical to diverse expressions of faith and reality in a complex society.

The preservation of diversity and pluralism is critical for harmony in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country, like Malaysia.

Intellectual and spiritual development knows no boundaries. It matures through seeking, exploring and learning from diverse schools of thought that are beneficial to society.

Given these concerns, it is vital for elected Muslim and non-Muslim MPs to urge the prime minister to withdraw the bill for wider consultation with civil society.

According to the G25 group of prominent retired civil servants, the controversial bill does not align with the principles of justice and equality and hence contravenes the Federal Constitution.

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The group cited a few clauses in bill which it claimed contravened provisions in the Constitution. These included one which outlined the definition of adherence to the Sunni school of Islam.

According to G25, Islam under Article 3 of the Constitution should be given a liberal interpretation and encompass a wide spectrum of schools of thought and jurisprudence.

This underscores the vital role of diversity and pluralism in Malaysian society. For the Muslim and non-Muslim communities in Malaysia, the acceptance of pluralism is critical. It has brought about a sense of engagement and community between cultures.

Hopefully, dialogue and consultation will be initiated with constitutional principles in mind. – Focus Malaysia

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

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