No ambiguity in Constitution’s definition of Islam, says minister

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom (pic) believes that it is unnecessary to amend the Federal Constitution to specify the Sunni branch of Islam as the country's official religion.

According to Jamil Khir, there was no ambiguity in the constitution’s definition and position of Islam, as Article 3 clearly stated that Islam is the official religion of the federation while other faiths can be practised freely.

He also said available state laws deemed it irrelevant for any form of amendment to the constitution, citing Perlis and Kedah, where both states had legislated that only the Sunni faith can be practiced.

Jamil Khir’s statement came as a response to Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s proposal to redefine Islam as Sunni in the constitution to curb the teachings of other Islamic ideologies, particularly Shia beliefs.