{
  "id": 6746974,
  "title": "Nothing in law allows Cabinet to be divided by race and religion, Hadi told",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/nothing-in-law-allows-cabinet-to-be-divided-by-race-and-religion-hadi",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-11T10:55:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/09/11/nothing-in-law-allows-cabinet-to-be-divided-by-race-and-religion-hadi-told"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "DAP legal bureau chairman Ramkarpal Singh dismissed PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang's proposal to restrict non-Muslims to Cabinet roles that do not involve policy formulation. The former deputy law minister argued that Hadi's remarks were unconstitutional and contradicted the principles of multiculturalism and racial diversity that form the foundation of Malaysian society. Ramkarpal referred to the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism, which had labeled Hadi's comments as an infringement on the fundamental structure of the Federal Constitution. He also pointed out that Hadi's remarks in 2018, suggesting PAS would create two Cabinets for Muslims and non-Muslims, would violate Article 43 of the Federal Constitution, which prohibits the division of ministerial positions by race and religion. Ramkarpal emphasized that all Malaysian citizens, regardless of race or religion, should have equal access to ministerial positions, as enshrined in Article 8 of the constitution. He stressed that the power to appoint ministers lies with the prime minister, and Malaysia's Cabinet has been multiracial since gaining independence. Ramkarpal deemed Hadi's comments divisive and called for their rejection, stating that DAP remains committed to upholding multiculturalism and multiracialism in all aspects of Malaysian life, including the Cabinet composition. He urged non-Muslim parties in Perikatan Nasional, especially Gerakan, to publicly express their stance on Hadi's remarks, as the issue is of public concern and could shape the country's future direction. He also appealed to Umno and other Barisan Nasional parties, particularly MCA and MIC, to clarify their position on Hadi's remarks, given the recent collaboration and discussions between BN and PAS. Last week, Hadi stated that non-Muslims could serve as ministers, but their roles should be confined to implementing government policies, while Muslims would handle policy formulation. He cited the works and forestry ministries as examples of portfolios that could be held by non-Muslims.",
  "summary": "DAP leader Ramkarpal Singh describes the PAS president's call to restrict portfolios for non-Muslim ministers as divisive.",
  "key_points": [
    "Legal expert Ramkarpal Singh called Hadi's remarks unconstitutional and discriminatory.",
    "Article 43 of the Federal Constitution prohibits ministerial division by race and religion."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Nothing in law allows Cabinet to be divided by race and religion, Hadi told",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/nothing-in-law-allows-cabinet-to-be-divided-by-race-and-religion-hadi-6751782",
        "published": "2026-09-11T10:55:39.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}