Syarie Lawyers want action against SIS, WAO for questioning Syariah

Syarie Lawyers want action against SIS, WAO for questioning Syariah

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 1 – The Malaysian Syarie Lawyers Association (MSLA) is demanding that action be taken against Sisters in Islam (SIS) and the Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) for questioning the implementation of the Syariah law, said.

MSLA president Mohamad Isa Abdul Ralib said their remarks can be deemed as insulting the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Malay rulers as the heads of religion in the country and the states respectively.

He said WAO executive director Ivy Josiah’s call for a comprehensive review of all laws pertaining to Syariah criminal offences, with a view to repeal such law, was uncalled for.

SIS executive director Dr Hamidah Marican’s statement that the whipping sentence against a part-time model for drinking beer as a torture and a breach of human rights was tantamount to ridiculing the Syariah law, he said at a news conference here today.

Present were representatives from the Islamic College Alumni Association (Alkis), Jemaah Islah Malaysia (JIM) and the Malaysian Muslim Lawyers Association.

SIS and WAO made the remarks at a news conference yesterday. It was attended by members of the Joint Action Group (JAG) for Gender Equality, of which WAO is a member.

Other JAG members present were the All Women’s Action Society, Women’s Centre for Change, Suara Rakyat Malaysia and the National Human Rights Society. – Bernama