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(STAR) PETALING JAYA: It is unconstitutional to punish non-Muslims for committing khalwat (close proximity) as there is no provision in law for it, according to the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Taoism.

Its president Datuk A. Vaithilingam said Article 121(A) of the Constitution allowed for separation between the Civil and Syariah courts.

“Khalwat is not recognised (as an offence) under civil law. It is not wrong for non-Muslims. Syariah law is only applicable to Muslims,” he said Thursday.

He was commenting on a proposal made during a seminar on Syariah Law review for non-Muslims who commit khalwat with Muslims to also be held liable.

Syariah Court of Appeal Judge Datuk Mohd Asri Abdullah said the seminar had proposed that non-Muslims committing khalwat with Muslims be likewise sentenced but in the civil courts.

Vaithilingam also said this was tantamount to depriving non-Muslims of their rights.

Federation of Taoist Associations Malaysia president Tan Bon Sin said in a statement it vehemently objected to the proposal, as it was an affront to the Taoist community’s way of life.

“It is an implied way of imposing Syariah law on the non-Muslim communities in Malaysia,” he said.

“Holding hands with, or showing love for, the opposite sex in public is not, and cannot, be a crime. It is a civilised way of telling your loved ones that you care.

Comments (35)

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written by HARIMAU BIN ABDULLAH, April 04, 2008 01:53:08

Making love is a natural act, like shaking hands, and there should be no restriction whatsoever.

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written by Milo, April 04, 2008 02:04:49

Next they are going to impose the khalwat rule on animals too. Then, Malaysia will be the most Islamic country in the universe. How many idiotic leaders have our system been producing since the last 50 years?

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written by Stormquest, April 04, 2008 02:11:50

Well Milo, to make Malaysia the most Islamic country in the universe, they'd have to impose it on space aliens too. Too bad if a someone wants to get horny with Jar Jar Binks, Chewbacca, and Jabba the Hutt.

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written by RitchieLow, April 04, 2008 02:34:11

Hmm, and what if the other party is a "forced" muslim like Lena Joy ? How is it constitutional if the other non muslim religious groups have rules forced upon its members when they are supposed to be self regulating, i.e. to each its own. Who are these self righteous religious police anyway, who is watching them ? They were asking for bribes according to the 2003 victim, is that religious ?

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written by Kritz, April 04, 2008 02:35:44

Lessons from The Islamic State of Madinah

Unlike the present day Islamists, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), when he established the first Islamic state in Madinah – in actuality was a Jewish-Muslim federation extended to religious minorities the rights that are guaranteed to them in the Quran. Prophet Muhammad’s Madinah was based on the covenant of Madinah, a real and actual social contract agreed upon by Muslims, Jews and others that treated them as equal citizens of Madinah. They enjoyed the freedom to choose the legal system they wished to live under. Jews could live under Islamic law, or Jewish law or pre-Islamic Arab tribal traditions. There was no compulsion in religion even though Madinah was an Islamic state. The difference between Madinah and today’s Islamic states is profound. The state of Madinah was based on a real social contract that applied divine law but only in consultation and with consent of all citizens regardless of their faith. But contemporary Islamic states apply Islamic law without consent or consultation and often through coercion.

It is a sad commentary on contemporary Islamists that while democracy is a challenge to contemporary Islamic states, it was constitutive to the first Islamic state in Madinah established by the Prophet of Islam.

PEACE

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written by Stormquest, April 04, 2008 02:55:44

"The extra-territorial application of US laws is inconsistent with US commitments and obligations under the WTO and undermines the role of the multilateral mechanism in addressing trade and investment problems," MITI said". http://www.utusan.com.my/utusa...=sr_08.htm

It seems hypocritical when we hear our government expressing its concern about the imposition of US extraterritorial laws on Malaysia, but when it comes to applying syariah laws on non-Muslims, then the powers-that-be go silent on the issue that it goes against the very grain of our Constitution.

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written by bugisman, April 04, 2008 03:43:00

pasok,

very simple theory...if syariah/islam laws can be applied onto non-muslim then other religions's laws can be applied to muslim.

pls, refer back to catholic rules, taoism, buddhism rules...can muslims accept it? fair & square...if you can't then drop it...

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written by bumi non malay, April 04, 2008 04:59:48

Lets gather all over Malaysia in the BIGGEST HUG FEST in the WORLD where Muslim hug non-muslim of the other sex and non-muslim like wise to muslim of the opposite sex......

Do it Simultaneously, ALL Over Malaysia with invite to UMNO-BN and video to U-Tube......Lets Put an end to this Religious Games by UMNO and their bigots......

More power to the People!!! For Freedom of Religion!!!

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written by artchan, April 04, 2008 06:16:02

How does one qulaify to be a shariah Judge?

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written by foresight, April 04, 2008 07:30:54

Do you want these religious nuts to be your moral guardian ? Jesus said, 'let those without sins cast the first stone'.

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written by Bigjoe99, April 04, 2008 07:37:27

You know this inane idea is not wha goats me. What really goats me is this: There is no issue more important with Syariah Law than people's fornication practises? What about women being abused? Rising divorce? Child support failures? etc.

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written by ramlisdar, April 04, 2008 07:40:39

I am a Malay and a muslim. Honestly I cant see anything that has been said by YB LGE that is detrimental to National security. As the chief of Islam Hadhari Pak Lah should now that everyone of the citizen should be treated equally and with dignity.

Please visit this website to see how UMNO/BN interpret the meaning of equality and fairness: http://www.tranungkite.net/v7/...e&sid=8473

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written by Atheist, April 04, 2008 07:41:43

Firstly, Islam takes control in Malaysia and see the results !!!!
Secondly, Islam rather help a fellow Islam in UK than a fellow citizen
Thirdly, it is still trying to regulate free democratic laws of Malaysia
Now, it wants to regulate the other religions as well ....?????

Religion is religion .... it should stay personal-to-holder and should not be imposed on others. In another words, it is between you and GOD, so don't pull others into it and subsequently into HELL !!!!!!1

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written by datnari, April 04, 2008 08:00:31

It just amazes me that our beloved country is never short of idiots and asinine fools. They come in all sizes and from all four corners of the country. The biggest joke is that these fools are sitting in high and mighty position like this Asri idiot. Probably these idiots wanted some media attention and that was why they came out with this statement.

I wonder who the idiot who made this imbecile a court judge. Thank goodness this dog is a syariah court judge, which by the way is not a real court unlike the civil courts which are more serious in nature.

After reading this piece, now i am even more tempted to go out there and meddle with some muslim chicks and i would really like to see the circus come to town when they try to arrest me.

Stupid is as STUPID does!!!!..........only in malaysia!!!

Ikim = asri = morons!!

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written by emirateswenger, April 04, 2008 08:23:06

It's good that those guys came out with such a proposal.
1. It's well within their right, as a matter of fact everyone have that right
2. The matter can be debated and minds expanded for all
3. So called sensitive issues may receive it's due attention and be laid to rest hopefully.

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written by Keith, April 04, 2008 08:43:52

So much for the political tsunami?

Why hasn't the 'PAKATAN RAKYAT' come out to condemn this. Why hasn't the MIC/MCA or even UMNO come out to condemn this.

Politicians will remain politicians and everyone is afraid of being branded 'Anti-Islam' or they actually support such stupid moves.

As a non-muslim living in Malaysia, I'm very concerned on the path this country is headed...no point having 2 parties in power, when both parties start trying to out-Islamisize each other.

Will someone in power please stand up and voice out the concerns of the Non-Muslims.

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written by astina, April 04, 2008 08:55:02

Vaithilingam also said this was tantamount to depriving non-Muslims of their rights.

hahaha..the rights to shag muslim or rather malays u mean ??

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written by smeagrooo, April 04, 2008 09:01:30

But didnt we have a pious leader putting his arms over a sexy msian actress for a photoshoot? SO how geh?

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written by obewan, April 04, 2008 10:03:14

2 weeks after BN gets steamrolled in the GE, The PM says he has learnt his lesson. He then allows his ministers and BN sponsored agencies to ban state exco members including the respective MBs/CM odf non BN led stateds from schools, cancelled tourism MOUs with non BN led states and considers prosecuting non muslims for khalwat.

I can't think of a better way to accelerate one's plan for self destruction. I have got only 2 words for our dear PM..WAKE UP!!!!!!!

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written by nescafe tarik, April 04, 2008 10:16:58

Well Keith, they did. English news are much different from Chinese/Tamil/Malay news. Different emphasis, by now the the Chinese and Tamil will make this a headline. And each newspaper will choose which politician to feature and yada yada all the way.

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written by Malaysiaputra, April 04, 2008 10:20:00

Tsk, tsk, tsk, how can one charge the non muslims for khalwat ! Tell the muslims to stay away lah !.

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written by ryan giggs, April 04, 2008 10:53:09

Where the big ear PM??????????? Mana boleh dengar kalau tidur je !!!!

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written by Raja Gasper, April 04, 2008 11:14:27

Love one another and if you like them,take them as your wife for God
approved such conduct but never condemd it.The truth stay clear from
the false one.Take it or leave it and that is the noble truth here.

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written by Huador, April 04, 2008 11:18:04

Eh apa tu khalwat ha?
Eh susah juga kalau nak suruh orang lain ikut cara kita saja. Kalau orang perempuan Melayu masuk rumah aku nanti aku kena halau ka? Kalau ikut amalan aku tetamu aku, aku welcome. Katakan satu budak Melayu mai rumah aku jual insuran. Tiba tiba mai tok Haji kata Khalwat susah juga tu.

Katakan kita dekat opis dengan setiausaha Melayu. Tiba tiba tok Haji mai tuduh kata kita kalwat. Jahanam la aku. Kawan kawan aku banyak perempuan dan depa tak kisah pun masauk keluar opis aku siang dan malam. Kalau macam ni nanti susahla.
Bukan semua manusia lelaki dengan perempuan bila dok dekat nak sek saja.

Pelik juga apa maksud khalwat. Aku tak faham. Tak akan aku nak pi kursus kat pejabat agama kot. Kalau aku masuk pejabat steno khalwat ka? Kalau staff aku stayback khalwat ka? kalau perempuan naik teksi Cina khalwat ka? Kalau nurse masuk dalam bilik pesakit khalwat ka? Aku tak tau la ..pening kepala aku...bila aku khalwat dan bila aku tak khalwat.

Pelik sungguh no..depa buat undang undang tak pikiar kata orang lain tak paham.
Macam ni nanti susahla orang melayu nak minta kerja dengan Cina. Bayangkan kalau diver Melayu masuk rumah Tauke Cina perempuan. Khalwat ka tu...

Oi pikiar sama la...cara hangpa kami bukan Islam tak paham .

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written by Mik, April 04, 2008 11:34:17

All of them are power crazed fanatics. enuf said.

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written by Mik, April 04, 2008 11:39:13

If syariah law can be applied to non muslims, then muslims should come under civil law too in some cases. Like the ones where the other spouse converts into islam and tries to snatch away the kids, these cases should come under civil law, not only syariah law. why the double standard? I like this joke...
Christian thinks they are the only one who goes to heaven,
Muslim thinks they are the only ones who will enter heaven,
Jews thinks they are only one who will be granted heaven as chosen ones,
At the end of the day, none ends up in Heaven.

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written by lonewolf, April 04, 2008 11:44:26

Why these people so hyper excited to implement stiffer punishment when it comes to close proximity and adultery. Looks like these jokers think that sex is the most sinful thing in the world while there is other issues focus their resources on chasing after errant fathers who did not pay maintenance to their children and ex-wives. Not long ago we did heard of some ridiculous idea of Mat Skodeng and now comes this. Whats next ? You cant go around becoming a moral police telling people what they can or cannot do with their life. You are not GOD !! So stop playing God jugding others of their sins. Instead you should be worried of your own sins ..

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written by Goliverpool, April 04, 2008 12:26:51

for one and sure that such action will only endanger the current fragile status of our political climate. Such an statement and resolution is done without proper consultation and deliberation with relevent NGOs or other religious organisation which tantamount to a populist act only for the ruling fed gov to overule IKIM resolution later as a gracious act in which will be sensationalised by the MSM.

The issue of imposition does not arise as our Federal Constitution has clearly defined the rights and freedom of religion practise as well as the protection of the rights of the non muslim. It is my foresight that the future of our beloved country are in serious decay and jeopardy as long our leaders behaved in such an arrogant, unconventional, unrealistic and uncivilised manner.

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written by Namaste, April 04, 2008 13:32:36

PR has alot to do on freedom of worship which had deteriorated under BN's leadership.

Why I say it is that go and watch this clip as follows;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYNm-KGkJiw

ISN'T THIS AGAINST OUR LAW TO INSULT OTHER RELIGION??

THE WHOLE MUSLIM WORLD IS AGAINST THE MOVIE ' FITNAH ' BECAUSE IT ' IS DEEMED INSULTING ISLAM.

WHAT DO THEY HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THIS IDIOT'S PREACHING??

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written by cruzeiro, April 04, 2008 14:13:21

It isn't about religion lah ..... it's about playing the non-muslim voters against PAS, and breaking up PR. Period.

These goons don't give two hoots about Islaam!

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written by maverick, April 04, 2008 17:31:55

never new UMNO is so loyal to their Islamic teaching.

a man could have his wife passed away and then get married again within a year. i really do not know if there is any religion who encourage such act.

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