The public is disgusted with the suggestion by International Islamic University law lecturer Dr Zulkifly Muda who supported the use of Internal Security Act (ISA) on those who leave Islam.
In 1960, a Bill titled “an Act to provide for the internal security of the Federation, preventive detention, the prevention of subversion, the suppression of organised violence against persons and property in specified areas of the Federation and for matters incidental thereto” was tabled in and passed by Parliament. Since 1st August 1960 and 16th September 1963, the Internal Security Act 1960 (“ISA”) became law in West Malaysia and East Malaysia respectively.
The ISA is a special piece of legislation that has its provenance in Article 149 of the Federal Constitution 1957, and which confers extensive powers on the Executive to stop and prevent any action taken and threatened, that is prejudicial to the security of Malaysia. Besides providing the powers for restriction of assembly, association and expression, the ISA also confers the power of preventive detention for the promotion of national security on the Minister and the police force.
We do not see the need to apply ISA on those who leave Islam because ISA’s main objective is to arrest any propaganda that can affect national interest or unity. Why do we need to punish apostates with ISA which is irrelevant with its original objective?
Dr Zulkifly Muda was quoted as saying, “The apostates are not the only ones to blame for leaving the religion. There are other parties who have contributed to their confusion and disillusionment. He added that the apostate may be unable to appreciate Islam due to the acts of his parents, family or the authorities.
We beg to differ on Zulkifly’s brash statement. His statement is misleading because no party will ever know the real reasons any individuals are leaving their own religion except them themselves. When any parties decide to leave any religion there are a lot of factors contributing to that important decision.
Majority of apostates were non-Muslims who converted to marry Muslims, only to leave Islam upon dissolution of the marriage. Converts usually return to their original faiths because of loss of interest in continuing as a Muslim or lack of financial or emotional support upon divorce. This normally results in them giving up the religion.
Say ‘NO’ to ISA when dealing with apostates
The public is disgusted with the suggestion by International Islamic University law lecturer Dr Zulkifly Muda who supported the use of Internal Security Act (ISA) on those who leave Islam.
In 1960, a Bill titled “an Act to provide for the internal security of the Federation, preventive detention, the prevention of subversion, the suppression of organised violence against persons and property in specified areas of the Federation and for matters incidental thereto” was tabled in and passed by Parliament. Since 1st August 1960 and 16th September 1963, the Internal Security Act 1960 (“ISA”) became law in West Malaysia and East Malaysia respectively.
The ISA is a special piece of legislation that has its provenance in Article 149 of the Federal Constitution 1957, and which confers extensive powers on the Executive to stop and prevent any action taken and threatened, that is prejudicial to the security of Malaysia. Besides providing the powers for restriction of assembly, association and expression, the ISA also confers the power of preventive detention for the promotion of national security on the Minister and the police force.
We do not see the need to apply ISA on those who leave Islam because ISA’s main objective is to arrest any propaganda that can affect national interest or unity. Why do we need to punish apostates with ISA which is irrelevant with its original objective?
Dr Zulkifly Muda was quoted as saying, “The apostates are not the only ones to blame for leaving the religion. There are other parties who have contributed to their confusion and disillusionment. He added that the apostate may be unable to appreciate Islam due to the acts of his parents, family or the authorities.
We beg to differ on Zulkifly’s brash statement. His statement is misleading because no party will ever know the real reasons any individuals are leaving their own religion except them themselves. When any parties decide to leave any religion there are a lot of factors contributing to that important decision.
Majority of apostates were non-Muslims who converted to marry Muslims, only to leave Islam upon dissolution of the marriage. Converts usually return to their original faiths because of loss of interest in continuing as a Muslim or lack of financial or emotional support upon divorce. This normally results in them giving up the religion.
- Concerned citizen -
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