COMMENT | RUU355 is coming down the pipeline. Over the decades ever since these amendments were proposed, the religious far right, the deep Islamic state and culture war warriors have been pushing for these amendments as an amelioration of secular democratic first principles.

Indeed in 2018, PAS’ big cheese, Abdul Hadi Awang, said in the party’s muktamar that this project was long in gestation and that it was a virtue of PAS to play the long game - “This proves the determination of PAS, with patience and wisdom (hikmah), to realise this agenda.”

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OCT : Malaysia is one of the few countries in the world that places religious laws and constitutional laws on par or worst still above constitutional laws at the way policies and laws are passed favouring religious laws.

It is very sad and painful that in the 50, 60 and 70 when there are hardly any religious laws, all Rakyat can sit, eat, chat and celebrate all cultural festivals without fuss. There was no compulsion and religious to dictate what Rakyat can do, wear and/or celebrate. There was no Malays being converted to other religions.

All Rakyats respect each other custom and culture without anybody telling them to do so. Now Malaysia is full of distrust between each race, religion, custom and culture. NM knows what are forbidden acts. However, Malays seem to be full of fears in losing their faith, religion, custom and culture.

The Govt has to introduce laws and regulations to ensure Malays don't stray. There is no history, evidence and facts that Malays has strayed to date. The Govt seems to portrays there are hidden ghosts everywhere for the Malays which in fact there is none.

Malaysians are not not small children, stupid and irrational that needs constant monitoring, surveillance, reminders and policing. There is too much moral policing. At the moment, it seems it doesn't affect NM but there is no guarantee that it won't.

When mufti makes mistakes, the constitution court cannot even overall or correct them. Just look at the past IGP incident on arresting Indera husband. There are different orders from constitutional and Syariah court. This makes him unable to act properly.

PurpleDove6067 : Religions are by nature closed systems that fence itself from criticism or stringent analysis. Some religions have gone through reformation but we are unsure if Islam had gone through the same process (correct me if I'm wrong), therefore making constructive dialogues less likely.

Secular democracy on the other hand is a container that holds varied views - they have their respective relative value without one dominating the other. Religion in this lens is fundamentally not compatible with secular democracy as religion (if not reformed) will seek to dominate other values by way of external forces such as state apparatus to exert its influence.

In other words, it is only normal such a state will become authoritarian. Can we give examples of islamic states that are not authoritarian?

Sealthedeal : There are none. Islam and authoritarianism and socio economic under development exist in most except the oil rich states. Islamaphobia is therefore totally justified.

Anwar is allowing Malaysia to slide slowly but surely down the slippery slope to an Islamic state. Act 355 with the Mufti bill must be voted down or these extremists will destroy the country.

FitnessPro : Malaysia is a nation gifted with diversed culture, background, beliefs and traditions. We have learned to live together for the past 100 years if not more. Even though non-Muslims have been assured over and over again that all Islamic bills, rules, laws are not applicable to us, we were affected over and over again.

Even if we let out a soft voice stating our disagreement on an issue indirectly and faintly related to Islam or the Malay culture, we get the likes of Akmal trying to bully us with his verbal fists. We are not allowed to fight back lest we are seen as trying to marginalised or bully the majority.

Having said that, whatever bill that is passed or unpassed, we, the non-Muslims will be affected. They can assure us a million times, but the truth is, the fact is, we will be affected. We all live in a community that rely on one another. I need to buy from the Malays. I need the Indians to help me deliver my goods. I need to go see my therapist who hail from East Malaysia.

We all need one another. No ethnic group exists as an island in Malaysia. No ethnic group exists in a vacuum. Take for example. Every CNY celebration, or Hari Raya celebration. Do we not affect one another with the fireworks? Do we not influence one another with the concept of Gongxi Raya? Aren’t the Malays now giving green packet in their celebration?

These are all positive outcomes of us being one society. So if you say that this bill will not affect us the non-Muslims, you are living in your own bubble. BTW, I have some budget to go for a domestic holiday in December.

But I will not go to the states ruled by PAS. I am afraid they may fine me for wearing shorts. So I guess, Penang will get my money instead. And that is how, we affect one another!

Sealthedeal : I hope DAP is listening to the commander. If they sell non Muslims out it will be the end of them and the constitution.

MS : The DAP we knew died in 2014 along with Karpal who epitomized its values. The one we see today is a fake one

Anon25 : What are Sarawak and Sabah doing? Sarawak at least has the numbers to make a stand. Abang JO you have to at least speak up bravely to say that these Islamic Laws cannot and should not be passed in Parliament. What is DAP doing? Many of us sacrificed so much for DAP.

AyuhMy : Whatever assurance from the mad dah ni gov is not to be believed. We must not give up the fight to maintain our secular constitution.

GreenCarp8801 : Madani Government is untrustworthy!

Kamrul : It will affect the non Muslims All you need as references are the Muslim countries in the middle east The religious bodies and personalities will eventually act as God's representatives Their words will be God's words And no one can rebute them.

Then, they will act like God himself As only they can talk to God No one else can So no one else can prove them wrong They will eventually remove all obstacles to their path to absolute power So how not to affect the non Muslims

Open minded 2281 : MCA gave away the citizenship rights of the non Malays and DAP will go down as the party that that gave up the rights of non Muslims.

The non Malays see the writing on the wall and are emigrating by the thousands. The liberal and middle class Malays will need to decide what they want. Keeping quiet is not an option.

MS : Spot on! And to those who foolishly keep taunting non-Malays with the green bogey, you should try concocting something else - the Madanization of the country which in simple terms is to turn the place into an Islamic theocracy is well underway.

The impending disaster which is Act 355 like the one in the oven, the thinly camouflaged House Arrest Bill is designed to ensure the political longevity of The Chameleon. While his sole aim and purpose over the two decades preceding 2022 was to secure the premiership, his focus now is to ensure that he rules the roost for 23 years at least and do overtake the record set by Mahathir.

Everything he has done to date and everything he does in the months to come is move towards that goal- and nothing else.

darmakochi : "Can Madani govt assure Act 355 bill won't affect non-Muslims?" Commander, you have asked a very relevant question!

Can the PM give assurance by words and actions that the growing tyranny of the majority race will not affect the rights and well-being of the NMs? Of late the actions are not matching the words!

Commenting has been disabled for this story : I will agree to this bill...IF one thing is done... Enshrine a new law... Protection of Non-Muslim Rights Act (PNMRA).

Under this PNMRA... - all Non-Muslims have the right to reject any Islamic rules or decisions. - all Shariah decisions are automatically null and void for Non Muslims. - if there is dispute about whether a natural born Non Muslim converted to Islam or not, he or she can choose their faith. - if there is a conflict between the PNMRA and any Islamic laws (current or future, State or Federal), the PNMRA will override and prevail to the fullest extent.

Ada berani? Why not? After all, they always like to say "Non Muslims won't be affected" But we have seen time and again why that rings hollow. So, walk the talk. Put it into law. Don't just give empty assurances. Enshrine it in law. Protect Non Muslim rights.

Then you can pass all the Islamic bills you want, to your hearts content. Not my business. But of course they will never do this. They will never walk the talk. That's why I never trust their empty promises. ..Ever.

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