Malaysian Politician Wants Ruling On Sharia Court Conviction

In Malaysia, Parliament member Khalid Abdul Samad last month was fined RM2,900 (the equivalent of $650 (US)) by the lower shariah court for giving a religious talk without having religious credentials in violation of Section 119 (1) of the Selangor Islamic Law Administration Enactment. Khalid insists he was giving a talk about his trip to Palestine, and was not giving a religious talk. As reported yesterday by FMT News, Khalid now wants the Election Commission to rule on whether this conviction disqualifies him from serving in Parliament.  Malaysia's constitution provides that an MP is disqualified if convicted of an offense by a "court of law" and is sentenced to a jail term of one year or more, or is fined not less than RM2,000.  Khalid's supporters argue that his violation was not a penal offense, and the Selangor shariah lower court is not a "court of law."