Non-Muslims must stop interfering, says BN backbencher

(The Edge) – Barisan Nasional’s (BN) Datuk Mohamed Aziz today issued a stern warning for non-Muslims to stop interfering in Islamic affairs and laws in questioning the controversial sentencing of Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno for drinking beer in public.

Mohamed (BN-Sri Gading) ventured into the thorny issue when he asked a supplementary question on syariah courts in parliament, telling the House that he “cannot stand it when non-Muslims insult the laws of Islam”.

“The syariah court is significant for the affairs of Muslims. Everyone knows. But we regret when the punishment handed out by the syariah court is disputed by certain parties that try to interfere, try to insult and try to dismiss (memperlekeh) Islamic laws,” Mohamed said.

Mohamed, who is Umno deputy permanent chairman, asked whether contempt of court can be invoked when it came to syariah court decisions before continuing his tirade.

“I want the interference in Islamic affairs, especially by non-Muslims, to stop. (Or else) it will become a different issue, an issue that can affect the feelings of Muslims and could raise unrest in the country.

“Leave it alone. The syariah courts has its punishments which are accepted by Muslims. What business do non-Muslims have in stepping in?” Mohamed said.

In reply, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Senator Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim told the Dewan Rakyat the court’s decision should be respected by all but the controversy here was that Kartika was the first woman to be punished for that offence.

Public debates ignited when Kartika was fined RM5,000 and sentenced to be caned six times by the Kuantan Syariah High Court on July 20 after the 32-year-old woman confessed to violating Islamic laws by drinking beer in a hotel lobby in Cherating, Kuantan on July 11, 2008.

In a supplementary question, opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (PKR-Permatang Pauh) said the “question here was not about people questioning” Islam but on restoring integrity and public confidence in the syariah justice system.

Anwar noted the public would invariably question the justice system when a “small person” was punished for consuming alcohol when it was well known that several “big figures (pembesar)” were known to do the same.

“This is not about questioning the Quran. This is called hypocrisy in the system or inconsistency.

“What is disputed is whether the implementation of laws can help restore the syariah court’s integrity in the eyes of Muslims, non-Muslims and the world,” Anwar said.

The Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leader then raised the issue of former Perlis mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, who was charged with giving a religious talk without state authorisation (tauliah).

Without naming Asri, Anwar lamented that the issue of authorisation to preach (tauliah) was disputed when nobody would dispute the person’s qualifications as a religious scholar and a mufti.

Mashita responded that despite one being an ulama, it was not a “big license” to speak about religion prompting Anwar to remark, “So, he has license to be a mufti but no license for tauliah?”

The Dewan Rakyat then erupted into a frenzy of loud jeers and members of parliament speaking in unison until Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar stepped in to control the House.

“Yang buat sibuk ni apahal? Yang Berhormat, if we are brave to speak but not brave to listen then we are not courageous enough,” he said.