KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 22 — Lawyer Muhamad Izwan Ishak has pulled out from being part of a team campaigning for the KL Bar committee election tomorrow, saying that issues of race and religion should not be used for such a platform.
Muhamad Izwan, 25, today told Malay Mail Online that he pulled out from Amir Bahari’s team last Saturday after receiving a full briefing and will now be attending the KL Bar’s annual general meeting (AGM) tomorrow as a voter instead.
“My main reason for the withdrawal is because I cannot agree on the manifesto that has been discussed by Mr Amir Bahari,” he told Malay Mail Online when contacted today, adding that he will no longer be standing for elections this year.
Malay Mail Online had last contacted Muhamad Izwan last Friday, where he had confirmed at the time that he is part of a team of candidates together with Amir Bahari — who is also known as Mohd Amir Sharil Bahari Md Noor.
Today, Muhamad Izwan explained that he had initially agreed to run for elections as a young representative in Amir Bahari’s team, adding that he did not know the contents of the manifesto before joining.
“At first, I just agreed to join because I’m representing the young lawyers, so that’s what I’ve been told and that’s why I agreed. So, I never expected it to turn out to be on race and religion matters, using this to get support, so it’s truly against my principles, so I can’t accept,” the first-year lawyer said.
“My principle is race and religion should never be mixed with professionalism,” he added.
Muhamad Izwan disagreed with the aim of Islamising the KL Bar as it is a professional body, adding that candidates should stand for election based on professionalism instead of race and religion.
“Who is benefiting from the Islamising of KL Bar? Not all. You have to respect non-Muslims as well. Islamising the KL Bar is not going to benefit the whole group, Islamising (is) only going to benefit some of the group,” he said, adding what is important is finding ways to enhance the KL Bar’s professionalism and working for the benefit of all.
“For me, race and religion should never be mixed or used as a card to win something as in our situation — for election, race and religion card should never be used to gain votes in a campaign,” he added.
Issue over campaign manifesto
For Muhamad Izwan, his main issue with the manifesto is over two of its pledges, namely the policy to discontinue the serving of alcohol at KL Bar events and support for the “RUU355” proposal for heftier Shariah punishments.
Muhamad Izwan noted that Muslims still have the option not to consume alcohol if it is served at social events, saying that the alcohol served is meant for non-Muslims and that there is no compulsion in KL Bar events for Muslim attendees to drink alcohol.
“We, as Muslims, you know that you can’t consume alcohol and you just stick to it,” he said, adding that there is “freedom of choice” as those who do not drink alcohol can just opt for non-alcoholic beverages at events.
While Muhamad Izwan was uncertain if alcohol beverages are offered at KL Bar events, he noted that morality differs according to the individual and such choices should not be forced on others.
“My morality is I can’t drink, I choose to not drink, but I can’t impose on others that they can’t drink alcohol just because I’m there,” he said.
As for the backing of “RUU355” or the bid to amend a federal law to increase the Shariah courts’ sentencing powers, Muhamad Izwan said he disagreed with it due to the lack of clarity over the objectives of such a move.
“My simple reason is because simply we really don’t need it now... for me, I think it’s just a political move, nothing else, it’s not really clear on what they are trying to do with RUU355,” he said.
He also highlighted the Federal Constitution had provided for criminal matters to fall under the federal list or the jurisdiction of the federal laws governing the whole nation, instead of falling under the state list or state laws which are used to outline Shariah offences and their penalties and can differ according to state.
“But now, as for criminal law, we have a complete (one) and for me, it serves justice well, so why should we have another law that will complicate matters in our legal system?” he said.
The “RUU355” is a simplified phrase used by those supporting the amendment of the Shariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 or Act 355 to replace the Shariah courts’ current sentencing limits of three years’ jail, RM5,000 fine or six lashes with maximum penalties of 30 years’ jail, RM100,000 fine or 100 lashes. Critics of this amendment bid have said it is a backdoor method to allow for the enforcement of severe punishments under hudud.
Muhamad Izwan said, however, that Amir Bahari and his team can go ahead with their campaign and that he respected their differences in opinion, adding that everyone is entitled to their own perspective.
When contacted, Amir Bahari confirmed that Muhamad Izwan had notified him of his withdrawal two to three days ago, adding that it was due to the latter’s disagreement with the declaration of support for RUU355.
Amir Bahari’s team has since come out with a new campaign poster that omits Muhamad Izwan’s name.
