Zaid fears can’t dine at his fav sushi/oyster bar @ BSC anymore if Mufti Bill (FT) 2024 becomes a law

Once the Parliament passes the said law, other states will follow, eventually resulting in “the whole Federation being ruled by Muftis”.

(Focus Malaysia) – FORMER de facto law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim has taken a potshot at the Madani government for embarking on an authoritarian rule by forging ahead with the Mufti Bill 2024.

Except for Perlis Mufti Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin a.k.a. Dr MAZA, he expressed concern that “there is no objection from Sabah, Sarawak nor DAP” on the matter.

“Surprisingly, nothing from bodies that claim themselves as champions of democratic and multi-religious rule in Malaysia,” lamented the opposition-slant UMNO member in a X post.

 

“What’s so bad about the proposed law? It makes or converts a fatwa, traditionally considered in Islamic jurisprudence as an advisory opinion, into law.

“Suppose the FT Mufti issues a fatwa (a ruling on Islamic law by a recognised authority) that all tobaccos are haram or Muslims must only eat in restaurants with a halal certificate on display, such law will be enforced throughout FT.”

For context, the government plans to proceed with the second and third readings of the Mufti Bill (Federal Territories) 2024 on Oct 16 or 17, according to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar.

The first reading of the bill had already taken place during the last Parliament session. Na’im added that a decision regarding the Mufti Bill is expected to be known this year with the Bill being debated in the Dewan Rakyat before being presented to the Dewan Negara.

 

Muslims rob of constitutional rights 

Previously, media reports indicated that the first reading took place in July with the Mufti Bill (FT) 2024 being one of three bills related to Islamic affairs presented for amendment.

The bill aims to define the Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah from the perspectives of the al-Asyairah and al-Maturidiah schools of thought.

Zaid further contended that once the Parliament passes the said law, other states will follow, eventually resulting in “the whole Federation being ruled by Muftis”.

“If I walk in to have my sushi or oyster bar at BSC (Bangsar Shopping Centre), I commit an offence for such places do not usually carry the halal sign,” fumed the former defence counsel of now incarcerated former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

“Do I have any personal liberties left, a constitutional right to eat wherever I please? Under Madani, no.

“What happens to democracy and religious freedom? What if the Muftis ruled that Muslims could no longer shake hands with their female colleagues? Or deny Muslims to wish Merry Christmas? Or Happy Deepavali?”

In Zaid’s opinion, there is now no need to pass such a law at the state legislative assembly level given a mere issuance of an edict or fatwa can be deemed as suffice.

“We have elections in the country to select the people’s representatives who then make laws for the country. Now, an unelected religious officer called the Mufti can do that on his own,” the founder of Zaid Ibrahim & Co, the largest private law firm in Malaysia (which he no longer owns) further ranted.

“Don’t the Malay rulers worry that they may be deprived of their powers one day? What if there is an edict that the position of Malay Rulers as head of the religion is un-Islamic since the Khalifah has to be vested in a person who is well-learned in Islamic knowledge and qualified Imam?

“The wise guys in Putrajaya need to be careful in their relentless drive towards Islamisation of the country. They may not like what they wish for.”