JUST READ!

JUST READ!


Treasonous or not...

Posted: 16 Nov 2013 06:30 PM PST

Sultan of Selangor decree on 'Allah' is fast becoming a serio-comic for politicians of both divides. Even within Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat, pros and cons statements are made about 'to respect or not to respect' it.

Some say it is not treasonous to disobey it while others seriously consider it as an order and those who go against it must face capital punishment.

Capital punishment in the country applies to murder, drug trafficking, treason and waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Further definition also includes waging war against the sultans, yang dipertua negeri and governor.

So, is it an act of treason if one mocks and disregards the Sultan of Selangor decree?

Former Cabinet minister and veteran lawyer Zaid Ibrahim says its not!
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 17 — Muslim hardliners here have insisted it would be treasonous to ignore the Selangor Sultan's "Allah" decree but a former Umno law minister believes otherwise, and even doubts that the ruler's order is legally binding on non-Muslims.
Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, a known critic of groups like Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (ISMA) and Perkasa, said an act of treason typically means leading a rebellion against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or any state ruler, for whatever reason.
"There is a specific definition under the Penal Code for treason: if you lead an armed rebellion against the King or Sultan, then that's treason.
"Not following the decree is not treason," Zaid told The Malay Mail Online.
He added that Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah's blanket ban on the use of "Allah" in the state may not apply to non-Muslims as Islamic laws or religious edicts are only legally binding on Muslims.
Zaid also questioned if a royal decree is considered a law and argued that even if this was the case, the order contravenes the Federal Constitution, which states that non-Muslims cannot be bound by any Islamic laws.
Zaid must have tangible reason to support his opinion, and we should leave it to him. As a lawman, he sure knows how to weigh his calculations.

On the other hand, others do not share his view. Groups like ISMA, dubbed as hardliners in defending the 'Allah' issue, warns Malaysians - irrespective of race and religion - to respect the Sultan's decree.
BANGI, Nov 16 — Non-Muslims would be committing treason if they dared to disobey the Selangor Sultan's decree banning their use of "Allah", Islamist group ISMA said today in apparent warning against attempts to challenge the exclusive right of Muslims to use the Arabic term for God.
Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia deputy president Aminuddin Yahaya said the blanket ban by Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah must be respected by all Selangor folk in light of his position as the state's ruler and highest religious authority.
"As the supreme Islamic leader in the state, I believe it is a must that his decree be obeyed and respected.
"Failing to do so is akin to treason, to disrespect the Sultan," he told a press conference at the NGO's office here.
Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah had on Thursday renewed his decree barring the Arabic word for God to all non-Muslims in the country's wealthiest state and for an immediate stop to usage in the Malay language Bible al-Kitab and the Catholic weekly, Herald, in a move set to complicate Putrajaya's bid to calm east Malaysian unease over the religious row.
ISMA's statement today comes on the heels of Bar Council president Christopher Leong's suggestion yesterday that the decree may have been due to political considerations.
Too many smart guys nowadays!

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