The Malaysian Federal Constitution: An Islamic or a Secular Constitution?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31078/consrev515Keywords:
Malaysian Federal Constitution, secularism, doctrine of basic structure, secular state, theocratic stateAbstract
Constitutionalism dictates that the government must only act within the four walls of the constitution. While adherence to this fundamental doctrine is proven to be difficult, it becomes more complicated when the walls are unclear. For decades, Malaysians struggle to ascertain the actual legal value of religion, particularly Islam, in its Federal Constitution and the impact of religion to the Malaysian legal system. Some opined that secularism is a basic structure of the Malaysian Federal Constitution and in the name of constitutionalism, religious laws cannot be the basis for administration of public law and must be confined to personal law matters. On the other hand, some opined that Islam constitutes a salient feature of the Constitution and the position of Islam as the religion of the Federation implies Malaysia as an Islamic state. This paper analyses the conflicting views, via qualitative studies of constitutional provisions which have religious element in the light of their history, together with relevant case laws which interpreted them. The analysis is done with a view to determine whether the Malaysian Federal Constitution is a secular instrument creating a secular state or a religious document establishing a theocratic state. From such analysis, the author presents that the Malaysian Federal Constitution, albeit giving special preference to Islam, is a religion-neutral document which is receptive to both religious and secular laws. This is based on the fact that the Constitution upholds the validity of both secular and religious laws for as long as they are enacted according to procedural laws required by the Constitution.References
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Al-Attas, Syed Muhammad Naquib. Islam, Secularism and Philosophy of the Future. London: Mansell Publishing Limited, 1985.
Astro Awani. “Malaysian Bar’s Stand on Hudud Unconstitutional: Muslim Lawyers.” March 21, 2015. http://english.astroawani.com/malaysia-news/malaysian-bars-stand-hudud-unconstitutional-muslim-lawyers-13591.
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Bari, Abdul Aziz & Farid Sufian Shuaib. Constitution of Malaysia: Text and Commentary (2nd edition). Malaysia, Selangor: Pearson, 2006.
Che Omar Bin Che Soh v Public Prosecutor [1988] 2 MLJ 55.
Chen, Lee Ban. “The Islamic State Debacle.” Malaysiakini, November 11, 2001. http://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/7017.
CNN.com. “Mahathir: Malaysia is ‘Fundamentalist State.” CNN.com/World. June 18, 2002. http://edition.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/asiapcf/southeast/06/18/malaysia.mahathir/.
Constitution Society. “Jefferson’s Wall of Separation Letter.” Accessed April 21, 2019. http://www.constitution.org/tj/sep_church_state.htm.
Danaharta Urus Sdn Bhd v. Kekatong Sdn Bhd & Another [2004] 2 MLJ 257.
Dato Menteri Othman Bin Baginda & Another v. Dato Ombi Syed Alwi Bin Syed Idrus [1981] 1 MLJ 29.
Everson v. Board of Education 330 U.S. 1 (1947).
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Kesavananda Bharati Sripadagalvaru and Others v. State of Kerala and Anr (1973) 4 SCC 225.
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Krisis & Praxis. “Malaysia Social Contract (Part 2): Excerpts from Historical Documents.” Accessed April 21, 2019. https://www.krisispraxis.com/archives/2007/05/social-contract-part-2-excerpts-from-historical-documents/.
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Loh Kooi Choon v. Government of Malaysia [1977] 2 MLJ 187.
Malaysiakini. “Tujuh Wasiat Raja-Raja Melayu [The Seven Testaments of King of Malay].” Accessed April 21, 2019. https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/110050.
Menteri Dalam Negeri & Others v. Titular Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur [2013] 6 MLJ 468.
Meor Atiqulrahman Bin Ishak & Others v. Fatimah Bte Sihi & Others [2000] 5 MLJ 375.
Muhammad Hilman bin Idham & Others v. Kerajaan Malaysia & Others [2011] 6 MLJ 507.
Muhamad Juzaili Bin Mohd Khamis & Others v. State Government of Negeri Sembilan & Others [2015] 3 MLJ 513.
New Advent. “Secularism.” Accessed April 21, 2019. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13676a.htm.
Nik Noorhafizi bin Nik Ibrahim & Others v. Public Prosecutor [2013] 6 MLJ 660.
Phang Chin Hock v. Public Prosecutor [1980] 1 MLJ 70.
Ramah v Laton (1927) 6 F.M.S.L.R. 128.
Sajjan Singh v. State of Rajasthan 1965 AIR 845, 1965 SCR (1) 933.
Semenyih Jaya Sdn Bhd v. Pentadbir Tanah Daerah Hulu Langat and another case [2017] 3 MLJ 561 Shaik Abdul Latif v. Shaik Elias Bux (1915) 1 F.M.S.L.R. 204.
Shankari Prasad v. Union of India AIR 1951 SC 458.
Sivarasa Rasiah v. Badan Peguam Malaysia & Another [2010] 2 MLJ 333.
Stilt K. “Contextualizing Constitutional Islam: the Malaysian Experience.” International Journal of Constitutional Law 13, no. 2 (2015): 407-433.
Sulaiman bin Takrib v Kerajaan Negeri Terengganu [2009] 2 CLJ 54.
Tan Yi Liang. “Malaysian Bar: Kelantan Hudud is Unconstitutional and Discriminatory.” The Star Online, March 20, 2015. http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/03/20/Malaysian-Bar-statement-on-Kelantan-hudud/.
Teoh Eng Huat v. Kadhi, Pasir Mas & Another [1990] 2 MLJ 300.
The Malaysian Bar. “Hudud is Unconstitutional, Discriminatory and Divisive.” Accessed April 21, 2019. http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/press_statements/press_release_%7C_hudud_is_unconstitutional_discriminatory_and_divisive.html.
The Malaysian Bar. “MCCBCHST’s Press Statement: Malaysia is Not an Islamic State.” Accessed April 21, 2019. http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/letters_others/mccbchsts_press_statement_malaysia_is_not_an_islamic_state.html.
The Malaysian Bar. “Preserving the Integrity of the Constitution.” Accessed April 21, 2019. http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/speeches/preserving_the_integrity_of_the_constitution.html.
The Rocket. “Hudud Law Incompatible with Secular State, Says Karpal.” Accessed April 21, 2019. https://www.therocket.com.my/en/implementation-of-hududin-kelantan-is-ill-advised-says-karpal/.
Thomas, Tommy. “Is Malaysia an Islamic state?” Malayan Law Journal, no. 4 (2006): xv- xlvii.
Yunus, Arfa. “Laws in Contradiction to Islamic Laws are Void, says Former Chief Justice.” The New Straits Times, March 25, 2017. https://www.nst.com.my/news/2017/03/224249/laws-contradiction-islamic-laws-are-void-says-formerchief-justice.
ZI Publications Sdn Bhd and Another v. Kerajaan Negeri Selangor [2016] 1 MLJ 153.
Zuliza Mohd Kusrin, Zaini Nasohah, Mohd al-Adib Samuri and Mat Noor Mat Zain. “Legal Provisions and Restrictions on the Propagation of Non-Islamic Religions among Muslims in Malaysia.” Kajian Malaysia 31, no. 2, (2013), 1–18.
Al-Attas, Syed Muhammad Naquib. Islam, Secularism and Philosophy of the Future. London: Mansell Publishing Limited, 1985.
Astro Awani. “Malaysian Bar’s Stand on Hudud Unconstitutional: Muslim Lawyers.” March 21, 2015. http://english.astroawani.com/malaysia-news/malaysian-bars-stand-hudud-unconstitutional-muslim-lawyers-13591.
Azizan, Hariati. “Secular in Spirit.” The Star Online, April 2, 2017. https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/04/02/secular-in-spirit-we-need-to-lookat-our-shared-past-namely-the-founding-principle-of-the-country-an/.
Bari, Abdul Aziz. Malaysian Constitution: A Critical Introduction. Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur: The Other Press, 2008.
Bari, Abdul Aziz & Farid Sufian Shuaib. Constitution of Malaysia: Text and Commentary (2nd edition). Malaysia, Selangor: Pearson, 2006.
Che Omar Bin Che Soh v Public Prosecutor [1988] 2 MLJ 55.
Chen, Lee Ban. “The Islamic State Debacle.” Malaysiakini, November 11, 2001. http://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/7017.
CNN.com. “Mahathir: Malaysia is ‘Fundamentalist State.” CNN.com/World. June 18, 2002. http://edition.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/asiapcf/southeast/06/18/malaysia.mahathir/.
Constitution Society. “Jefferson’s Wall of Separation Letter.” Accessed April 21, 2019. http://www.constitution.org/tj/sep_church_state.htm.
Danaharta Urus Sdn Bhd v. Kekatong Sdn Bhd & Another [2004] 2 MLJ 257.
Dato Menteri Othman Bin Baginda & Another v. Dato Ombi Syed Alwi Bin Syed Idrus [1981] 1 MLJ 29.
Everson v. Board of Education 330 U.S. 1 (1947).
Faruqi, Shad Saleem. “Constitution – the Litmus Test of Validity.” The Star Online, March 30, 2017. https://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/columnists/reflecting-on-the-law/2017/03/30/constitution-the-litmus-test-of-validity-theassertion-that-islamic-law-takes-precedence-over-civil/.
Fathul Bari bin Mat Jahya & Another v. Majlis Agama Islam Negeri Sembilan & Others [2012] 4 MLJ 281.
Fernando, JM. The Making of the Malayan Constitution. Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, 2002.
FMT. “Historian Explains Why Malaysia is Neither Secular Nor Islamic.” FMT, accessed April 21, 2019. https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2017/09/22/historian-explains-why-malaysia-is-neither-secular-norislamic/.
Indira Gandhi a/p Mutho v. Pengarah Jabatan Agama Islam Perak & Others and other appeals [2018] 1 MLJ 545.
Kesavananda Bharati Sripadagalvaru and Others v. State of Kerala and Anr (1973) 4 SCC 225.
Kow Gah Chie. “Law Expert: Malaysia Neither Secular nor Islamic State.” Malaysiakini, January 25, 2019. https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/461745.
Krisis & Praxis. “Malaysia Social Contract (Part 2): Excerpts from Historical Documents.” Accessed April 21, 2019. https://www.krisispraxis.com/archives/2007/05/social-contract-part-2-excerpts-from-historical-documents/.
Limkitsiang.com. “DAP CEC will Consider Proposal to Take Mahathir to Court for His “929 Declaration” and His “617 Announcement” that Malaysia is an Islamic Fundamentalist State.” Accessed April 21, 2019. http://www.limkitsiang.com/archive/2002/jun02/lks1658.htm.
Lina Joy v. Majlis Agama Islam Wilayah & Another [2004] 2 MLJ 119.
Loh Kooi Choon v. Government of Malaysia [1977] 2 MLJ 187.
Malaysiakini. “Tujuh Wasiat Raja-Raja Melayu [The Seven Testaments of King of Malay].” Accessed April 21, 2019. https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/110050.
Menteri Dalam Negeri & Others v. Titular Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur [2013] 6 MLJ 468.
Meor Atiqulrahman Bin Ishak & Others v. Fatimah Bte Sihi & Others [2000] 5 MLJ 375.
Muhammad Hilman bin Idham & Others v. Kerajaan Malaysia & Others [2011] 6 MLJ 507.
Muhamad Juzaili Bin Mohd Khamis & Others v. State Government of Negeri Sembilan & Others [2015] 3 MLJ 513.
New Advent. “Secularism.” Accessed April 21, 2019. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13676a.htm.
Nik Noorhafizi bin Nik Ibrahim & Others v. Public Prosecutor [2013] 6 MLJ 660.
Phang Chin Hock v. Public Prosecutor [1980] 1 MLJ 70.
Ramah v Laton (1927) 6 F.M.S.L.R. 128.
Sajjan Singh v. State of Rajasthan 1965 AIR 845, 1965 SCR (1) 933.
Semenyih Jaya Sdn Bhd v. Pentadbir Tanah Daerah Hulu Langat and another case [2017] 3 MLJ 561 Shaik Abdul Latif v. Shaik Elias Bux (1915) 1 F.M.S.L.R. 204.
Shankari Prasad v. Union of India AIR 1951 SC 458.
Sivarasa Rasiah v. Badan Peguam Malaysia & Another [2010] 2 MLJ 333.
Stilt K. “Contextualizing Constitutional Islam: the Malaysian Experience.” International Journal of Constitutional Law 13, no. 2 (2015): 407-433.
Sulaiman bin Takrib v Kerajaan Negeri Terengganu [2009] 2 CLJ 54.
Tan Yi Liang. “Malaysian Bar: Kelantan Hudud is Unconstitutional and Discriminatory.” The Star Online, March 20, 2015. http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/03/20/Malaysian-Bar-statement-on-Kelantan-hudud/.
Teoh Eng Huat v. Kadhi, Pasir Mas & Another [1990] 2 MLJ 300.
The Malaysian Bar. “Hudud is Unconstitutional, Discriminatory and Divisive.” Accessed April 21, 2019. http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/press_statements/press_release_%7C_hudud_is_unconstitutional_discriminatory_and_divisive.html.
The Malaysian Bar. “MCCBCHST’s Press Statement: Malaysia is Not an Islamic State.” Accessed April 21, 2019. http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/letters_others/mccbchsts_press_statement_malaysia_is_not_an_islamic_state.html.
The Malaysian Bar. “Preserving the Integrity of the Constitution.” Accessed April 21, 2019. http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/speeches/preserving_the_integrity_of_the_constitution.html.
The Rocket. “Hudud Law Incompatible with Secular State, Says Karpal.” Accessed April 21, 2019. https://www.therocket.com.my/en/implementation-of-hududin-kelantan-is-ill-advised-says-karpal/.
Thomas, Tommy. “Is Malaysia an Islamic state?” Malayan Law Journal, no. 4 (2006): xv- xlvii.
Yunus, Arfa. “Laws in Contradiction to Islamic Laws are Void, says Former Chief Justice.” The New Straits Times, March 25, 2017. https://www.nst.com.my/news/2017/03/224249/laws-contradiction-islamic-laws-are-void-says-formerchief-justice.
ZI Publications Sdn Bhd and Another v. Kerajaan Negeri Selangor [2016] 1 MLJ 153.
Zuliza Mohd Kusrin, Zaini Nasohah, Mohd al-Adib Samuri and Mat Noor Mat Zain. “Legal Provisions and Restrictions on the Propagation of Non-Islamic Religions among Muslims in Malaysia.” Kajian Malaysia 31, no. 2, (2013), 1–18.
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Published
2019-05-31
How to Cite
A. Rahman, S. F. H. S. (2019). The Malaysian Federal Constitution: An Islamic or a Secular Constitution?. Constitutional Review, 5(1), 134–163. https://doi.org/10.31078/consrev515
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