MP asks if Jamil Khir admitted to conspiracy to bypass Malay rulers

Kuala Terengganu MP Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah Raja Ahmad questioned whether Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom had admitted to a conspiracy with PAS to bypass the Conference of Malay Rulers.

This was after Jamil revealed that the government opted for PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang's private member's bill to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 instead of tabling its own bill as there were fewer procedural obstacles.

"Does Jamil realise that his statement is an admission that the federal government conspired with PAS to bypass the Federal Constitution and the Malay rulers?

"Is this not an insolent act against the institution of the Malay rulers?" he said in a statement today.

On Sunday, Jamil said if the bill was initiated by the government, it would need the consensus of 14 states and then later the National Islamic Council and the Conference of Malay Rulers.

Raja Bahrin noted that the government had previously also ignored the Conference of Rulers' call for the government to review the National Security Bill 2016 which granted the prime minister emergency-like powers.

"Are these an indication that the government is heading towards absolute power, disregarding the voice and role of the Malay rulers?

"Is this the attitude of a government that claims to protect the constitutional monarchy as enshrined in the Federal Constitution?" he said.

Raja Bahrin also questioned if PAS understood its role in the matter.

"Is PAS aware that it was being used by Umno?

"Is Umno and PAS clinging on to each other to remain in power while sidelining the rights of the Malay rulers?" he said.- Mkini