.JPG "Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi raises the party flag at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur March 28, 2021. — Picture by Hari Anggara")
Subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on news you need to know.
KUALA LUMPUR, March 28 — Umno will push for the amendment of the Federal Constitution should the party form a super majority in Parliament in a bid to “empower” Shariah law, its president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi vowed today.
The pledge was made at the party’s annual general assembly here this morning, where Ahmad Zahid told delegates that Umno must fulfill its role as the defender of Islam as the oldest Malay political outfit.
In his policy speech, the Umno president criticised the Federal Court ruling that annulled Selangor state law’s provision which made unnatural sex a Shariah offence, saying the decision had deep ramification that could “denigrate” Islam and challenge the sovereign power of Malay rulers.
The former deputy prime minister had also remarked on a landmark High Court ruling that upheld the constitutional right of Bumiputera Christians to use the word “Allah” in their religious worship that has sparked backlash among conservative Malays.
“Umno feels the ruling has a serious implication.
“The ruling could potentially annul all criminal Shariah enactments in the states, it could challenge the sovereign power of the Malay Rulers.
“If we have two-thirds majority, we must amend the Federal Constitution so that Shariah Law can be strengthened,” he added.
Islamic laws fall under state purview in the country, with the respective Ruler as its supreme authority.
In a separate case on February 25, a nine-judge panel at the Federal Court declared that a Selangor state law provision that made unnatural sex a Shariah offence contravened the Federal Constitution since only Parliament has powers to enact criminal laws.
MORE TO COME