Hakam slams Hadi’s call to abolish ‘colonial laws’

The National Human Rights Society (Hakam) has criticized PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang for advocating the abolition of colonial-era laws that, in his view, hinder the supremacy of Islamic law over man-made laws without Allah's permission. Hakam president M Ramachelvam expressed concern over using a politically convenient colonial law argument to portray Malaysia’s constitutional and legal framework as a foreign imposition hindering Islam.

Ramachelvam rejected the claim that constitutional limits on shariah jurisdiction are merely colonial restrictions to be discarded, arguing that the question should be whether a law is valid within Malaysia’s constitutional order today. He highlighted that the Reid Commission, created to draft a constitution for an independent Malaya, formed the basis for the constitutional framework adopted at independence, and was not a simple colonial imposition.

Ramachelvam also noted that the powers of the state and federal governments, as well as civil and shariah courts, are defined under the constitutional framework, with Islam recognized as the federation’s religion. He stressed that laws can be reformed or repealed, but changes must be debated on their legal and constitutional merits, not through a narrative framing the conflict as a struggle between colonial law and shariah law.

Hakam urged political leaders to ensure public discourse on religion, law, and constitutional rights does not foster fear, resentment, or distrust between communities.