Hadi’s rejection of civil law paves way to theocracy, says G25
The G25 group of retired civil servants has criticized a proposal by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang to abolish colonial-era laws in Malaysia. The group argues that replacing these laws with a system based on Islamic teachings would lead to a theocracy and harm the nation's legal and economic stability.
Why it matters
The debate highlights a fundamental tension in Malaysia between secular legal frameworks and the increasing influence of religious political movements.
The G25 group of prominent retired civil servants said repeal of the Civil Law Act would create legal uncertainty, cost to investor confidence and harm Malaysia's Islamic finance industry.
PETALING JAYA: The G25 group of prominent retired civil servants has warned that a proposal by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang to remove "colonial-era laws" — which he said hinder shariah law implementation — would pave the way for establishing a theocracy in Malaysia.
G25 said Hadi's proposal would place one interpretation of Islamic law above the Federal Constitution, and "place a small group of clerics above the rulers, above Parliament and above the courts".
"That is a theocracy, and the founders of this country, Malay and Muslim as they were, rejected it," said the group in a statement.
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