ISLAMIC BILL / LACK OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Muslim scholars and leaders don't agree with new bill

Ploenpote Atthakor

A bid to launch a new Islamic organisation administration bill has hit a snag as Muslim scholars and religious leaders voiced concern over the lack of public participation in the drafting process.

The drafting of the Islamic Affairs Administration Bill, which has just been completed, was carried out by a 35-member security committee headed by Nideh Waba of the National Legislative Assembly.

The bill seeks changes in the recruitment system, from election to selection, of Islamic committees and organisations at all levels.

It also calls for the creation of a 31-member National Islamic Council, or Shura, chaired by the Chularatchamontri to help oversee the selection of Islamic leaders. The council would work as a legislative body to consider and interpret the controversial issues. Its members will be made up of Islamic leaders and experts selected from registered Islamic religious schools from across the country.

The bill's provisional clause also stipulates that the present Chularatchamontri be allowed to stay in his post for another 360 days at the most.

If approved, the bill will replace the three existing acts, including the 1997 Islamic Organisation Administration Act, and the 1981 and 1989 Haj Affairs Promotion acts.

However, Surin Pitsuwan, a member of the National Legislative Assembly, said the draft bill should not be drawn up in a rush.

"This is a very important issue that is needed to be thought over carefully. There should be public hearings on the bill," Mr Surin said, adding that the old laws should have been reviewed before a proposal to introduce a new bill was made.

In his opinion, the bill should be put on hold until an elected government was in place.

Mr Surin noted that while the election of religious leaders may be deemed inappropriate as it would involve competition and canvassing, a change in the recruitment process from election to selection would also have to be transparent to ensure that it is free of interference by any groups or agencies.

Mohamad Adam, a member of the now-defunct National Reconciliation Committee (NRC), said public participation was unavoidable, particularly in the three Muslim-dominated Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat provinces.

The bill is interesting as it seeks to incorporate people from all segments of Muslim society into key religious positions, he said. However, he disagreed with a plan to gauge public opinion through letters, saying it will not work for the deep South.

An open forum is more appropriate for the region, he said, adding that most Muslims in the southernmost border provinces are not aware of the bill as public forums in the restive region are currently concentrating only on the new charter.

"For Muslims, this bill is far more important than the charter as they will be directly affected," Mr Mohamad said.

Worawith Baru, a lecturer at the Prince of Songkhla University's Pattani campus, called for the bill drafters to discuss the issue with the stakeholders before moving on with it.

However, Niran Pantarakit, a Mahidol University lecturer and member of the drafting committee, dismissed concerns about the lack of public participation in the drafting process.

"We are going to hold a major forum for imams in the far South on the issue soon," he said.

Besides, he said the drafters have made several changes to the bill, with input from several sectors.

Mr Niran said he was not aware of reservations against the bill within the NLA.

Damrong Samalayasak, an NLA member, said there was no need for a new draft as the 1997 version was already good.

It was dangerous to introduce such a bill as it could open the way for certain groups to use Islam as a political tool, he warned.

Mr Damrong believes that the NLA will not let the bill sail through in its present form.

Bangkok Post

Last Updated : Saturday April 07, 2007