SUBANG JAYA, Dec 4 — Claiming of a covert attempt by the Malaysian authorities to introduce more Islamic laws, DAP acting national chairman Tan Kok Wai today urged his party members to fight to ensure the Federal Constitution remains secular.

In his opening remarks at the party’s annual national convention here, Tan pointed out that former prime ministers Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tun Hussein Onn had asserted that the country is secular with Islam as its official religion.

“Let us not forget that in Malaysia, the Federal Constitution is the highest law,” said Tan.

Although Tan made no specific reference, a federal minister reportedly said last week that Putrajaya has plans to upgrade the three-tier Shariah judiciary system to a five-tier system - with the highest court being a Shariah Appeal Council.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom had also said that the plan will be realised soon as all states have agreed to the upgrade.

The minister has also repeatedly urged DAP’s Pakatan Rakyat (PR) ally PAS to go ahead with plans to implement the Islamic penal code hudud in Kelantan, a proposal that has received fierce objection from non-Muslims and the Islamist party’s two pact partners.

“We cannot allow any laws or policies that contravene the spirit of the Constitution... We have defend its supremacy,” said Tan.

He added that theocratic laws are unsuitable in a multiracial and multi-religious society, as they pose threats to the foundation of the nation.

Citing concerns raised recently by 25 influential Malays in an open letter last week, Tan said that “religious rhetoric” is being used to attack the democratic system.

“They have raised the alarm to all Malaysians that matters of race and religion is being extremely politicised,” he said.

In their letter, the 25 Malays, comprising mostly former prominent government officers, called for open debates on Islamic laws in Malaysia, and said that such discourse should not be seen as insulting Islam or the religious authorities.

They also stressed that any law enacted, including Islamic laws, cannot violate the Federal Constitution, especially its provisions on fundamental liberties, federal-state division of powers and legislative procedures.

The group also highlighted the lack of public awareness on the legal jurisdiction and limits of the religious authorities’ powers and administration of Islamic laws in Malaysia, insisting that all Acts, Enactments, and even fatwa (religious edicts) are bound by the Federal Constitution and are open to judicial review.