Ramkarpal: DAP has always upheld principle of secularism
“The case clearly shows that Malaysia is a secular state and the DAP has always been steadfast in its defence, even when former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad wrongly declared Malaysia an Islamic state in 2002,” Ramkarpal said.
(FMT) – Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim’s recent statement that the DAP must categorically defend secular policies to stem the rise of radicalism in the country may erroneously imply that the DAP has not been steadfast in its commitment towards a secular Malaysia all these years, the party said in a statement today.
“There can be no doubt that the DAP has upheld the principle of secularism in this country since its inception and jealously protected the interpretation of the Federal Constitution,” DAP’s Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh said.
He referred to the 5-man bench of the Supreme Court way back in 1988 in the case of Che Omar bin Che Soh v Public Prosecutor, which, in no uncertain terms, declared Malaysia a secular state.
The case was presided by none other than former Lord President Salleh Abas, a PAS member and formerly an executive councillor in the PAS-led Terengganu government and Jertih assemblyman (1999 – 2004).
Salleh Abas, in his judgment, said: “We have to set aside our personal feelings because the law in the country is still what it is today, secular law … Until the law and the system is changed, we have no choice but to proceed as we are doing today.”
“The case clearly shows that Malaysia is a secular state and the DAP has always been steadfast in its defence, even when former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad wrongly declared Malaysia an Islamic state in 2002,” Ramkarpal said.
He said Mahathir’s stance was hardly met with any resistance from Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties such as the MCA or Gerakan.
He added that the DAP had made its objection against Mahathir’s stance, as did the late Karpal Singh, who had all along maintained that the Federal Constitution provided for a secular state and the Reid Commission, which included Islamic jurists, had carefully provided for this position when presenting the Federal Constitution to the country on Merdeka day.
“We welcome people like Zaid to join in DAP’s efforts in defending Malaysia’s secularism and constitution, but it cannot be said that this is something new in the party’s struggles,” the Bukit Gelugor MP said.
He said defending secularism as a pillar of the Federal Constitution is one of DAP’s priorities, regardless of the rise of radicalism in this country which Zaid alluded to.
“It matters not if there is a rise in radicalism or not, as secularism ought to be protected in any event in line with the Federal Constitution.”
Ramkarpal also referred to the recent statement by Gombak PAS chief Salehhuddin Nasir, describing his disgust at seeing DAP leaders breaking fast with Muslims
“Salehhuddin’s statement is certainly uncalled for and indicative of a growing intolerance of secularism in this country,” he said.
Ramkarpal said Salehhuddin never objected or expressed his so-called ‘disgust’ on the numerous occasions when both PAS and DAP leaders used to break fast during their days in Pakatan Rakyat.
“I wonder what has suddenly triggered such disgust now.”
He said people like Salehhuddin should learn from senior PAS members, such as Salleh Abas, on the nature of secularism in this country so that they can be more tolerant in their views.
