YOURSAY 'After 50 years of nationhood, line between civil and syariah systems remains obscure.'

Enough lip service, amend laws to end Indira Gandhi stalemate

Negarawan: This is yet another sign that Malaysia is a failed state. After 50 years of nationhood, our legal system is still in shambles, and the line between the civil and syariah systems remains obscure.

It is this obscurity that is capitalised upon by opportunistic Muslims to gain an unfair advantage over non-Muslims. It is not wrong to have a dual legal system, but the problem lies in the lack of political will to correct the injustices that can and have arisen.

Singapore has a dual legal system, but it does not share the same legal woes that Malaysia is suffering from. This is because the Singapore government has ensured that a clear line is drawn between the civil and syariah jurisdictions.

Again, Malaysia has much to learn from Singapore. Islam must not be seen as a "licence" to perpetrate injustice against the non-Muslims. Zaid Ibrahim's article in The Star today is very pertinent on how the judiciary and lawmakers have lost their soul and humanity.

Worldly Wise: It is contrary to Islam to apply Islamic law on non-believers.

Spirit of Malaya: By now, the non-Muslims in Malaysia must be worried, very worried. The so-called "rule of law" usually guaranteed by our civil courts by adhering to the principles enshrined under the Federal Constitution, has been raped beyond repair.

The argument that syariah law doesn't apply to non-Muslims has been proven otherwise. Hence, what guarantee do non-Muslims have that hudud shall not be forced onto them, when it eventually happens?

Hibiscus: Nothing can justify a mother of being denied her rights over custody of her children except if the mother abuses her children or of unsound mind.

The judgment does not make sense, and causes untold anguish to the mother by maintaining her status over her children in limbo. The judgment is so very, very unfair and cruel to the mother.

Odin Tajué: It is my considered opinion that the whole problem with regard to this issue has arisen due to two and only two factors - (1) the unwillingness of the Muslim judges involved to arrive at a decision not in favour of the party who is a Muslim; and (2) insufficient grasp of language vis-à-vis the phrase "parent" and its translation into Malay as "ibu atau bapa", where the operative word is "atau/or".

Clive Kessler has written a lengthy, instructive article to elucidate the interpretation of the phrase. Had the parties concerned had Kessler's depth of knowledge, this case would have been settled a long time ago, with the conclusion being a finding for Indira Gandhi. Obviously, and unfortunately, not one of them has acquired that depth.

OH YA?: As Zaid Ibrahim has correctly pointed out in his column in The Star newspaper, "what kind of country have we become to produce such harsh laws and heartless judges".

The laws need to be fixed, so is the appointment of judges. The responsibility lies not only with the ruling elite but the opposition and civil society as well. All parties must set aside their political differences, come together, and agree on a bipartisan solution to this farce, which has dragged on for far too long as to have become an explosive and divisive force.

Shanandoah: MIC must leave the BN government to protect the Indian community. They have already lost so many of their rights in the country. Now their children are also being lost in the name of justice and taken away from their mothers.

Visu: This judgment is a sandiwara (act) that is no more different than the many on conversion and politics. The culprits are definitely all the BN component parties that survive like parasites on Umno which have taken Malaysia to World No 3 in corruption.

So nothing can be expected out of the courts for Indira Gandhi. Only a total revamp of the system, including a change in government, is going to change Malaysia and bring a semblance of justice, integrity and good administration.

Kit Siang welcomes disgruntled Umno members to join hands

Hopeful123: Well said, Lim Kit Siang. DAP has always meant business and no nonsense. I admire its logical, pragmatic approach in tackling problems. The Malays need not not worry being displaced in our multi-racial and multi-religious country.

The non-Malays are receptive to having a Malay as the prime minister as long he/she is practical, honest and down-to-earth, not to mention capable. Then our beloved Malaysia will be on its way to greater heights and reclaim her long-lost international pride.

Kay Phor Chee: Stop spinning this issue to gain your cheap publicity, Kit Siang. Guess you are trying cover up the damage you and your son have caused in Pakatan. Hopefully those disgruntled members when they decided to join DAP, will spoil and destroy DAP party once and for all. Ridiculous for Kit Siang to make this statement.

Anonymous$&@?: Only the Malays can save the country.

Keturunan Malaysia: Anonymous$&@?, yes I agree with you insofar that the Malays are the majority in this so-called democratic country of ours. If they do not want to save the country, who else can?

RCZ: This country should be mature, open its eyes, and consider letting someone like Kit Siang or a non-Malay become the prime minister.

We will then see immediate racial tolerance, respect for each other, good governance, the Malays coming out of the hole Umno put them in, the poor getting equal benefits, an improvement in the education system, the end of corruption and the destruction of the Umnoputera.

To make it possible, wise-minded and moderate-thinking Umno members must respond to Kit Siang's offer to work together. Basically, Umno only wants to save its own skin. It's a pointless exercise, Kit Siang.

Anonymous_1424677312: Malays who love Malaysia must come out.

Anonymous 2390431451362763: Thanks, but no thanks Mr Kit Siang, sir. The battles that you fight in are only for your own good and your personal interests. Not for the media and the rakyat.

Burong merah: Kit Siang was spot on, whichever race and party you belong to. The year 2016 is the year to save Malaysia and not an individual, a couple or a party.

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