Hadi laments interpretation of Federal Constitution in English

 

Abdul Hadi Awang says it is unfortunate that Muslims are affected by courts and judges who interpret the constitution in English.

PETALING JAYA: PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang has lamented the interpretation of the Federal Constitution in English, saying it affects Muslims in the country.

This comes in the wake of the unilateral conversion of single mother Loh Siew Hong’s three children without her permission. The conversion by the Perlis religious department is seen to contradict the 2018 Federal Court ruling on unilateral conversions.

“Now it is clear that Islam, which comes under the purview of the rulers through the various religious councils cannot override man-made laws. Islamic laws can even be nullified by courts and judges,” he said in a HarakahDaily report.

He said it was unfortunate that Muslims were affected by the courts and judges who interpreted the constitution in English, which merely referred to Islam as “a religion” rather than “Al-Deen”, or a “way of life”.

Hadi did not make any direct reference to Loh’s case, in which she is seeking to nullify the conversions of her 14-year-old twin daughters and 10-year-old son.

Previously, Perlis mufti Asri Zainul Abidin defended the conversions of the children, saying it was in line with the state’s shariah law that allows for unilateral conversions.

Hadi said even though the constitution states that Islam is the religion of the federation, it was still being interpreted in English, even in matters pertaining to Muslims.

“Even though the original text of the constitution is in English, when we achieved independence, it should be up to us to interpret it in our own language in accordance with the religion we adhere to.”

Hadi added that Islam’s position in the country must be above that of other religions or ideologies.

“In life and in all matters of life, only Islam is fair to all.”

He also praised former judges, including Salleh Abbas, Ahmad Fairuz and Hashim Yeop, who “understood” what was implied in the constitution and interpreted it with an “independent mind” that was not constrained by “colonisers”. - FMT