Catholic Herald (16 September 2007, Vol.14, No.36)(p.1)
‘Inappropriate to abolish common law’
Kuala Lumpur: The Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) is against the abolishment of the use of the English common law and replacing it with syariah law. In a statement released on August 27, Bishop Pail Tan, CFM chairman asks for assurance that those in the position to administer justice have been fair, want to be fair and will always be fair. The statement further says that religious laws of one faith should not be imposed on persons who are not of that faith.
〔STATEMENT〕On Abolishing of English Common Law
The Chief Judge was reported in Utusan Malaysia of August 23, 2007 and the Star of August 22, 2007 as having advocated the abolishment of the use of English common law to fill lacunas in Malaysian laws and replacing it with syariah law and he was also reported to have been supported by the Attorney General and the YB Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Dr Abdullah Zin.
Religious laws of one faith should not be imposed on persons who are not of that faith and therefore syariah laws should not be imposed on non-Muslims. Malaysia is a multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-cultural society and all Malaysia’s religious traditions preach justice, equality and mutual respect.
The judges in the Federal Court case of Latifah had requested the Legislature to address the question of the jurisdictions of the Civil Courts and the Syariah Courts. It is therefore most inappropriate for the two top officers of our nation’s judicial system and for the said Minister to now advocate the adoption of syariah law principles into the common law system of our nation. Just when we are about to celebrate our 50th anniversary of independence, it is imperative that Malaysians be assured that those in the position to administer justice have been fair, want to be fair and will always be fair.
Bishop Dr Paul Tan Chee Ing, SJ
Chairman, Christian Federation of Malaysia
27th August 2007
(End)
