He said the initiative undertaken by Chief Minister Abang Johari Tun Openg to rectify the “hanging” situation was an appropriate step which should be supported as it was aimed at avoiding conflicts and to provide a solution to the sensitive issue, particularly in Sarawak.
“To solve this problem, emotions should be cast aside. The issue of unity and religious harmony in the country should be a priority.
“We should not let the actions of some ‘mischievous’ people disrupt the religious harmony enjoyed in the country,” he said in a statement here, today.
The issue arose after four Sarawakians wanted to know whether a civil or shariah court has the jurisdiction over their efforts to leave Islam, and the Federal Court in Kuching decided that there was a provision in the Sarawak Islamic Council Ordinance on the power of the shariah courts to handle such cases.
Abang Johari, in a statement late last night, stressed that as the Federal Court had given its decision, further action had to be taken while Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also home minister, said today he left it to the state government to settle the issue.
Juanda, in his statement today, said the main issue of the four individuals was to remove their religion as Islam from their identity cards.
Without a ruling from the Sarawak Islamic Council, or the Sarawak Shariah Court or the Sarawak Islamic Religious Department, he said the Sarawak National Registration Department would find it difficult to approve their application.
“Discard bad thoughts. Abandon any bad intentions. The focus should be on maintaining the religious harmony which has existed for so long.
“The personal issue of one or two individuals who are having problems is not worth sacrificing religious harmony,” he said.
“The decision of the Federal Court should be respected and implemented. It strictly states that the Sarawak Shariah Court has the power to resolve this crisis even though it is not clearly stated in the text of the law.
“Hence the burden of deciding on the matter is now on the shoulders of the Sarawak Shariah Court,” he added.
Earlier today, the Chief Minister of Sarawak’s office issued a statement denying a news article published by Malay Mail Online titled “Sarawak to Amend State Shariah Laws on Apostasy”.
In the statement, the office stressed that the article that mentioned about the proposed amendment to the Sarawak Syariah Court Ordinance 2001, to make it easier for Muslim converts to leave Islam, was highly inaccurate.
“The report did not reflect what was stated by the chief minister. The chief minister has clearly stated that since the Federal Court ruled that the shariah court has the power to hear apostasy cases, it is necessary for further action.
“It includes reviewing the need to amend the Syariah Court Ordinance 2001 or the Sarawak Islamic Religious Council Ordinance 2001, as well as the requirement to provide standard operating procedures for implementation purposes,” the office said.