— G25 Forum
Malay Mail Online
December 6, 2015

DECEMBER 6 — We, members of G25, at the conclusion of the Forum on Islam in a Constitutional Democracy at PAUM in Kuala Lumpur on December 5 and 6, 2015, agree on the following statement of reaffirmation:

Having discussed the role of Islam in a Constitutional Democracy under four themes namely;

i) The Federal Constitution and Shariah Law.

ii) Issues of Conflict between Shariah law and Civil law, and impact on the Federal /State division of powers in Malaysia’s legal system.

iii) Islamisation and its Consequences.

iv) Islam and Politics.:

Reaffirming our commitment to upholding the Federal Constitution as the Supreme Law of the Nation;

Reaffirming our commitment to upholding the Rukun Negara which articulates the principles and goals that should guide the Nation;

Reaffirming our belief that political stability and economic progress in a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious nation like Malaysia can only be achieved when there is racial harmony, tolerance, understanding and co-operation amongst the various communities;

Reaffirming our commitment to a democratic, peaceful, tolerant and moderate multi-racial Malaysia;

Reaffirming our commitment to the rule of law, good governance, respect for human rights and upholding the Institutions in the country.

Reaffirming our belief in and commitment to the Islamic Principles of Maqasid Al Shariah and Wasatiyyah;

We do hereby agree to:

Promote the Islamic principles of justice, compassion, mercy, equity and moderation and work towards the realisation of the Quranic principles of Maqasid Al Shariah and Wasatiyyah;

Promote an informed and rational dialogue on the ways Islam is used as a source of public law and policy in multi-ethnic and multi-religious Malaysia, within the letter and spirit of the Federal Constitution, the Supreme Law of Malaysia;

Work towards making Malaysia as a model to the world for a just, democratic, moderate, tolerant, harmonious and progressive multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious nation;

Address the areas of conflict and overlap between civil law and shariah law which are inconsistent with the provisions of the Federal Constitution, and which have led to a breakdown in the Federal /State division of powers;

Raise public awareness on the legal jurisdiction and substantive limits of the religious authorities and the administration of Islamic laws in Malaysia;

Work towards the creation of an inclusive Consultative Committee of Experts to advise the Government to facilitate amendments to the State Shariah laws to bring them in line with the Federal Constitution and the spirit of the Rukun Negara;

Support reforms for good governance practices among public institutions to ensure integrity, transparency and accountability in the government and respect for the rule of law.

* This is a G25 Statement of Reaffirmation issued at the end of a G25 Forum on Islam in a Constitutional Democracy on December 5 and 6, 2015, at Persatuan Alumni Universiti Malaya (PAUM), Kuala Lumpur.