‘Constitution allows non-Muslims into top govt positions’

PETALING JAYA: The appointment of non-Muslims into top government positions such as Chief Justice, Attorney General, and Ministers, is allowed in the Federal Constitution, said Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohamed Hanipa Maidin.

“I find it perplexing that there are quarters who still want to question the appointment of non-Muslims into certain government positions.

“These appointments are not in conflict with the Constitution, as it is done within the scope of the Constitution,” said Hanipa, who is in charge of law.

Hanipa has issued a statement following PAS information chief Nasrudin Hassan’s remarks yesterday, that the Pakatan Harapan government’s appointment of non-Muslims into important positions related to the Judiciary, will adversely impact the legal rights of Muslims in the country.

Nasrudin was referring to the appointment of Tan Sri Richard Malanjum as the Chief Justice, Datuk Liew Vui Keong as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of law, and Tommy Thomas as the AG.

As a Muslim himself, Hanipa does not dismiss the fact that he and other Muslims in the country, are hoping for a Muslim to be appointed into such positions.

“But to me, this is just idealism in the country. It cannot supercede or substitute the Constitution, unless the Constitution is amended.

“In short, it is unwise for us to play soccer with rugby rules. People call this tak aci (unfair) or mengelat (cheating),” the Sepang MP added.

Hanipa, who’s a Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) lawmaker, said that people who questioned the appointments of non-Muslims into such positions, should rethink their argument.

If Malaysians accepts the Constitution “as our supreme law” in the nation’s legal system, Hanipa said, Malaysians must then realise that no one, particularly politicians, are allowed to operate outside the scope of the Constitution.

A similar sentiment was echoed by former Federal Court judge Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram, as he defended Malanjum’s appointment as the new Chief Justice, saying that he had a proven track record.

“In constitutional issues, he is the most independent. So why attack him on religious grounds?” the former Federal Court judge said yesterday.

He said that Malanjum had never insulted any religion and had been delivering judgements in accordance with the law.

“Nasrudin need not worry because they will receive justice in Malanjum’s court. He has been a fair man.

“Just because he dissented in the Lina Joy and Catholic Herald case doesn’t make him anti-Islam,” he said.

Sri Ram said that PAS and Nasrudin themselves had previously backed an administration which was not entirely honest.