G25 urges review of ‘intrusive’ shariah laws

G25 spokesperson Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin says the group is mooting a consultative committee to look into shariah enactments that encroached upon people’s privacy. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Seth Akmal, December 6, 2015. A group of prominent Malays is calling for a review of the application of Islamic law, saying it is against criminalising personal sins such as “khalwat” (or close proximity).

In a move to establish a consultative committee, the group known as G25 said shariah criminal offences enactments that intruded into people’s lives had to be reviewed.

“There are problems in the implementation of the shariah criminal offences enactments… we need to look at those.

“We need the consultative committee members to look at this, and where they have indeed violated the Federal Constitution. To recommend and perhaps repeal, or amend, and also to look into laws which intrude into people's private lives like khalwat laws,” its spokesperson Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin said today at a press conference held after the conclusion of the “Islam in a Constitutional Democracy” forum in Kuala Lumpur.

Only Malaysia had laws on khalwat and this was against the teachings of Islam, she said.

“In Islam, the Quran says you cannot intrude into a person's private sphere. So we are saying that this is against Islam.”

She said the consultative committee that would look into these issues was important as to prevent future injustices against Muslims and non-Muslims.

“Under the constitution, they have no jurisdiction over non-Muslims. But now they are also taking action against non-Muslims. Non-Muslims are affected by the decision of the shariah court and laws,” she said.

“Islam is a religion of justice, mercy and compassion. But the way Islam is being implemented under shariah laws, which are passed by state legislators, they are not divine laws.

“These are man's interpretation of God's laws. It's resulting in a lot of injustices not just to Muslims but non-Muslims as well.”

Another member of the group, Datuk M. Redzuan Kushairi, said G25 needed to talk to various stakeholders such as the authorities and social activists on the setting up of the committee.

“The main objective is to make a detailed study of the shariah and civil laws and to look into the areas where shariah has gone beyond its boundaries, the rights given to them under the constitution, and to make things right,” he said.

He added that experts in shariah and constitutional laws, sociologists and non-Muslims would also be included.  – December 6, 2015.