LAWYER Nik Elin Zurina Nik Abdul Rashid and her daughter Tengku Yasmin Nastasha Tengku Abdul Rahman’s attempt to ensure that the rule of law is adhered to and that the constitution is held supreme ought to be respected and even commended as this does not benefit them personally at all.
It is important that lawmaking bodies themselves, for example the state legislatures, adhere to the rule of law and constitutionalism.
As to whether Nik Elin and her daughter’s concerns are valid in law, let the Federal Court decide.
It is worrisome when politics, especially political parties appear to attempt to exert influence on the judiciary, or incite the public against a legal action allowed under the law.
It is unethical if lawyers, whatever their motives, misrepresent the legal action and shameful if they misrepresent it as a challenge to Islam or the institution of shariah.
To this effect one must applaud Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat for warning lawyers not to make statements that could incite.
She added that Nik Elin and Tengku Yasmin’s petition in no way weakens the shariah courts.
I am of the view that empowering shariah courts is to ensure that legislation is properly passed and that what is labelled “shariah” is indeed consistent with the Quran and authentic Sunnah. – November 20, 2023
Datuk Seri Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos is a prominent lawyer