‘Eminents’ meet sultans, to brief chief ministers
G25 Malays seek support at highest levels to stop heavy-handed Islamic authorities
(Free Malaysia Today) – The Group of 25 Eminent Malays are taking their campaign to uphold constitutional democracy to the highest levels. They have met several sultans and will next meet heads of state governments.
Former ambassador Noor Farida Ariffin, spokesman for the G25, affirmed that they had met “several sultans” last month for discussions under Chatham House rules, Malaysiakini reported.
The G25 (it now has 44 members) will next seek to have meetings with chief ministers and other state menteri besars’.
Islamic administration lies in the hands of the rulers of the Malay states and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in the other states. In addition, the Conference of Rulers also has oversight over federal legislation on Islamic affairs.
She told Malaysiakini the rulers they had met with were receptive to their concerns, about violations of the Constitution through enforcement of Islamic laws.
Noor Farida, a former sessions court judge, said some state laws had not been proposed by the rulers, who are the constitutional heads of Islam in the states.
