Siti, during the question-and-answer session, took the microphone and questioned the reason why Malaysian Muslims must be subjected to Islamic laws despite the Federal Constitution’s position as the highest piece of legislation in the country.
“I am a Malay and a Muslim, but why must I be controlled and dictated by this kind of people?
“This is between me and God.
“Why must I follow your interpretation of Islam?
“I don’t care if the amendments are passed, but I feel forced (to abide by them) as a Malay-Muslim in Malaysia,” she shouted at the panel, comprising representatives from PAS, Umno, DAP and MCA.
The crowd of 100 people roared in objection to her tone and provocative questions, while the moderator called for everyone to be calm.
The human rights lawyer, however, showed her middle finger at the participants before heading back to her seat.
The forum, held at Media Karangkraf Complex here, featured Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Jamil Khir Baharom, PAS Secretary-General Takiyuddin Hassan, DAP’s Kepong MP Dr Tan Seng Giaw, and MCA Shariah Law and Policy Implementation Special Task Force Chairman Gan Ping Sieu.
Takiyuddin, responding to Siti, said she had basically questioned the need for an individual to abide by the man-made laws in this country.
He then gave an example of a Muslim who consumes alcohol. This made the person liable for punishment under the present shariah law.
“Is it right for me as a Muslim to ask why I have to be subjected to the law? Is that reasonable?
“I don’t want to comment on it, but I just want to state that the proposed amendments were made in accordance with the Federal Constitution, which said the powers of shariah courts can only be amended through Parliament.”
The proposed amendments to Act 355 have been dubbed as a way for PAS to implement hudud.
The Islamist party has repeatedly denied this, saying the amendments were merely meant to increase the powers of shariah courts, allowing for harsher punishment against those who committed offences already laid out in the Shariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965.