SELECT COMMITTEE ON ADMINISTRATION OF MUSLIM LAW BILL

3.45 p.m.

The Deputy Prime Minister (Dr Toh Chin Chye): Mr Speaker, I beg to move,

That Mr K. M. Byrne be discharged from the Select Committee on the Administration of Muslim Law Bill and that Inche M. Ismail Rahim be added to the Committee.

Mr Speaker, the reason for this change is that Mr Byrne, who is a Catholic feels that he is placed in an invidious position to pass judgment on a Bill which relates only to Muslims and that it would be preferable if a Muslim Member of this Assembly were to take his place.

Question proposed.

Mr Rajah: I think, Sir, it would be a great pity if the Minister for Law—

An hon. Member: Labour and Law.

Mr Rajah: — Labour and Law — I beg your pardon - deprives this Select Committee of his very expert advice on matters relating to law.

Sir, the Bill not only concerns itself with Muslim manners and custom, but it also relates to Muslim law. Living in a multi-racial State, I think it is important that any law which we pass, even though it relates to a particular community or a particular section of a community, should be such that it should bear some relation to the general law of the land. On a matter like this, even though Mr Byrne is a Catholic, I am sure in my own mind that he will be able to dissociate himself from that aspect of his personal life and give his experience of the law to the great benefit of the Muslims Bill. I understand the Select Committee has agreed to it. [Interruption] I am so sorry. I understand Mr Byrne wishes to be relieved of his responsibilities in this matter because he feels that some other person could do better. I myself doubt very much that could happen, particularly when all the Members of the Select Committee are laymen, and I think on a Bill of this nature, although you yourself, Mr Speaker, Sir, are a lawyer, any assistance from another lawyer would be of great benefit to the Select Committee.

Mr Byrne: Mr Speaker, Sir, that point has not been overlooked before this motion was tabled by the Leader of the House.

Mr Speaker, Sir, as you know, the State Advocate-General is always invited to be present at such Select Committee proceedings. He is a Muslim and is very well versed in Muslim Law, and I am quite sure the Select Committee will have the best expert advice that any such Committee can ever hope to have.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

That Mr K. M. Byrne be discharged from the Select Committee on the Administration of Muslim Law Bill and that Inche M. Ismail Rahim be added to the Committee.