As the country as a whole celebrates Malaysia Day for the first time, veteran lawyer Azzat Kamaludin said the federal constitution, meant to be the foundation of the country, has failed through the various interpretations put on it.
“The failure is not in the provisions but in their interpretation and in the abuse of their application by those on the fringes of the political parties that we have - be it the political parties organised and based on communal lines or otherwise,” he said.
“The fact that we meet today to discuss a topic entitled 'National Integration with Constitutional Integrity'; that today we have to speak of 1Malaysia, even as some speak of ketuanan Melayu, that today one citizen can tell another that he is a pendatang or to balik China, speak volumes of our failure to build upon that firm foundation so proudly planted 53 years ago and extended 47 years ago,” he said.
Speaking during one of the panels at the 5th National Congress on Integrity at UCSI University this morning, the former diplomat also drew parallels with the “proclamation” that Malaysia is an Islamic state by then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Religion used to widen divide
“As if the ever widening racial divide is not enough, the political leaders and parties have added to it the element of religion,” he said, quoting the consitution which states that “Islam in the religion of the federation; but other religions may be practised in peace and harmony in any part of the federation”.
“Yet in 2001, the then prime minister in his opening address to the Gerakan party's national delegates conference, said that 'Umno wishes to announce loudly that Malaysia is an Islamic country'.
“It is a measure of the respect that Umno has for the judiciary that the PM went on to say that 'this is based on the opinion of ulama who had clarified what constituted an Islamic country',” he said.
Azzat also recounted his experience when he found out that the college bell to summon students for their meal times or assembly had been removed on the advice of an alim (learned man).
“It should be easy for you to guess the reasoning of the alim. My friend and I did not know whether to laugh or cry.
“It is no laughing matter though when the measures taken in the name of religion keep on driving people apart. Acrimony and animosity of religion and race will destroy the firm foundation that our founding fathers built,” he said.
Constitution should be discussed
Speaking on Article 153 which touches on the special position of the Malays and natives of Sabah and Sarawak, he said that it is now ludicrous that there are quarters deeming it “illegal” to discuss it.
“People are trying to pass laws making it illegal to discuss about Article 153. But mind you, the provision has been entrenched.
“In any laws, there are provisions that does allow you to discuss on the implementation. Because you should be talking about whether assistance is going to the right people or not.
“If not, how will we know that it is going to the right person?” he asked.
In recent times, efforts by the Malaysian Bar Council in their 'MyConstitution' campaign to educate citizens on the federal constitution have been met with brickbats by certain quarters in Umno as well as the 1Malaysia Youth Graduands Club.
They have claimed that by discussing the highest laws of the land, the council is advocating the changing of provisions, especially those that touch on the special position of Malays and Islam.
They had also claimed that the group is “seditious”, which the Bar Council has vehemently denied. -Malaysiakini
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