Kuala Lumpur, Apr. 4: It is unconstitutional to punish non-Muslims for committing khalwat (close proximity) as there is no provision in law for it.

Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Taoism president Datuk A. Vaithilingam said yesterday that Article 121(A) of the Constitution allowed for separation between the Civil and Syariah courts.

"Khalwat is not recognised (as an offence) under civil law.

"It is not wrong for non-Muslims. Syariah law is only applicable to Muslims," the Star quoted him, as saying.

Malaysian Bar Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan said in a statement that the proposal is tantamount to imposing Islamic law on non-Muslims. (ANI)