KUCHING, March 3 — The state chapter of Pakatan Harapan (PH) welcomed today the state government’s plan to amend the Sarawak Syariah Court Ordinance 2001 to address a longstanding legal loophole plaguing converts who want to leave Islam.
“It will set a clear procedures for those who wish to convert out of Islam, in the light of the Federal Court’s decision on Tuesday on the apostasy cases,” the Sarawak PH said in a joint statement signed by Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen, Sarawak PKR chairman Baru Bian and Sarawak Parti Amanah Negara chairman Fidzuan Zaidi.
The Opposition pact said it appreciate Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari quick and positive response to its call yesterday to revise the law.
The chief minister had announced this morning that the state government would amend the Sarawak Syariah Court Ordinance within six months, after the Federal Court ruling on cases of four persons wishing to exit Islam.
The apex court had ruled that apostasy cases must be heard before the Shariah Court and not the civil court.
Today, PH said it hopes Abang Johari will personally see to it that the amendment will be effected within six months as promised, and that the heated debate and condemnation on social media will cease with this affirmative stand.
“This issue must not be politicised, as our religious and racial harmony is too precious to be sacrificed for political expediency,” it said.
PH said the chief minister’s promise to amend the law is consistent with Sarawak’s rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and pursuant to the Federal Constitution.
“As Sarawakians, we should all be united in our stand on this matter. It is clearly not a Muslim vs Christian issue, but merely honouring the rights of the people to freedom of religion,” it said.
It added that after apex court’s decision, some extremist people have made outrageous accusations and lies about Baru’s role in the four cases.
“Some have said that our stand on the matter is a stand against Islam and our call for the government to amend the law would open the floodgate for conversions out of Islam.
“We hope that the chief minister’s clear statement today will cause them to pause and reconsider their rash actions and words,” PH said.
It added that Abang Johari’s rational and calm statement clearly shows that he understands the issue for what it is, and that “there is no Christian agenda”.
It also said that it is glad to note that Abang Johari is continuing his predecessor, the late Tan Sri Adenan Satem’s principle of protecting the religious freedom of Sarawak’s diverse ethnic communities.
