YAB Lim Guan Eng has stated ..... Penang is not an Islamic State

I am disturbed when people of all walks came to me and demanding the stand of DAP regarding the recent call by PAS Youth that the Pakatan Rakyat states to push for Islamic states and what have you... That is PAS Youth Wing's right to call for an Islamic state and since I respect the right of free speech and democracy, so be it. I am not condemning PAS or even asking PAS to retract. That is their RIGHT. But as far as I am concerned, Malaysia is NOT an Islamic state.

YAB Lim Guan Eng, Chief Minister of Penang and DAP Secretary General spoke it loud and clear. As far as DAP stand is concern, Penang and Malaysia is NOT an Islamic State. Islam is the religion of the Federation (and we respect that) and all other religions are practised freely. This was stated in Article 3 of the Federal Constitution. Nothing in our constitution states that Malaysia is an Islamic state.

An Islamic state would mean like the Islamic republic of Pakistan which proclaimed Pakistan to be an Islamic Republic and that all existing laws shall be brought in conformity with the injunctions of Islam as laid down in the Holy Quran and Sunnah and no law shall be enacted which is repugnant to such injunctions. Now having said that, and comparing Malaysia and Pakistan, nothing in our Constitution drafted in such a way as stating it's framework as ISLAMIC and that Article 4 explicitly declared that this Constitution is the supreme law of the Federation and any law passed after Merdeka Day which is inconsistent with this Constitution shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void. That in itself declared Malaysia is not an Islamic state. Though we may have Islamic banking or Islamic education or that the society lives in an Islamic environment that does not construed to be establishment of an Islamic state.

So as far as DAP is concerned, and insofar as our constitution is concerned, Malaysia is NOT an Islamic state. So whosoever declares anything to that effect would remain just a mere statement, void against the Constitution.

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©The Star (Used by permission)
by Nik Khusairi Ibrahim

GEORGE TOWN: Penang will allocate state funds fairly to all major religions to ensure that none is discriminated against or marginalised, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said.

He said the state government would treat all religions equally.

“We have also formed an inter-religious council called Majlis Silaturahim to promote goodwill and understanding among all religions,” he told newsmen after opening the National Maha Sanghika Dana 2008 at Penang International Sports Arena here yesterday.

“All religions are equal, according to Buddhist teaching,” he said.

He also reiterated that Penang would not become an Islamic state.

“Islam is the official religion of the country, but the freedom of worship is enshrined in our Federal Constitution.

“Nobody can take away this freedom and this right must be enjoyed by all of us forever,” he added.

The event is organised annually by the Malaysian Buddhist Youth Foundation to provide a platform for devotees to do good deeds.

Lim noted that Buddhism which has 370 million followers was the fourth largest religion in the world after Christianity, Islam and Hinduism.

Earlier, at another function, he said the state government was promoting the “Faith, Hope and Love” concept to restore lost trust, to give hope to future generations and to create a loving environment.

“We want to restore the lost trust among the people. Government that comes from the people should serve the people.

“We also want to give hope to the young generation that there is a future in Penang where there will be equal opportunity for all to benefit from the growing economy,” he said.

He said the state was keen on promoting the loving culture to create a cohesive and harmonious society.

Lim said this after flagging off a convoy of luxury cars participating in an overland trip to Bangkok.

The event was organised by the Lions Club of Bayan Baru.