PETALING JAYA: Being a non-Muslim does not restrict the Chief Justice from administering justice in the highest court of the nation, said the Dayak National Congress in response to criticism against the appointment of Tan Sri Richard Malanjum (pix) to the post.

Its president Paul Raja pointed out that the chief justice helms the civil court of Malaysia and not the Syariah court.

"PAS and Umno Youth must also know that, the people of Malaysia have spoken clearly during the last GE14. The people have chosen to have a New Malaysia where everybody can live harmoniously in a multi-racial nation.

"Our race, colour and creed should not be made or use to divide us like what happened under the previous government," he said in a statement issued on Friday.

Following Malanjum's appointment to the top judicial post on Wednesday, PAS and Umno Youth had claimed that the legal rights of Muslims were under threat following the appointment of Malanjum as Chief Justice, and Tommy Thomas as Attorney General.

Raja said PAS and Umno Youth should help to build a better Malaysia, instead of trying to gain popularity using divisive means.

He added that Malanjum fulfills all the required legal and constitutional conditions to be appointed as the Chief Justice.

"On merit, he is qualified. The sad thing here is that in spite of his qualification, he has been overlooked on many occasions in the past. It seems that his appointment is just a respite on what is overdue."

He urged PAS and Umno Youth to be more charitable in their political struggle in promoting the rights and welfare of all Malaysians.

They cannot pretend to live in the caves in the dark ages. They must open their eyes and see that the world is progressing to serve humanity in the best possible ways; not trying to oppress others who are of different race, colour and creed," he said.