KUALA LUMPUR: All relevant Islamic institutions have been urged to provide information in an integrated and continuous manner to the target groups regarding the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) (Amendment) Bill 2016, which was tabled as a Private Member’s Bill in Parliament recently.
Malay Consultative Council (MPM) secretary-general Datuk Dr Hasan Mad said the campaign should be carried out by institutions such as the Islamic religious councils, Islamic religious departments, Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim), Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (Ikim), and the International Islamic University (UIA), using simple language to enable the people to understand the Bill.
“Portray to them that Islam is universal, and does not discriminate against any race or adherents of any religion. For example, the involvement of non-Muslims in the halal industry. They have never been denied the right to get involved.
“Similarly, (they have also been allowed to be involved) in Islamic banking, in fact, non-Muslim students have also been provided opportunities to study at Islamic institutions, such as UIA.
“This is among the proof of how universal Islam is, while giving due respect to other religions and ideologies,” he said in a statement tonight.
On May 26, Abdul Hadi tabled the Private Member’s Bill, aimed at amending Section 2 of the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 to state that the Syariah Courts will have jurisdiction over Muslims, and in the case of offences on matters listed in Item 1 of the State List under the Ninth Schedule of Federal Laws.
It was also to include Section 2A, which states that in the conduct of criminal law under Section 2, the Syariah Courts have the right to impose penalties allowed by Syariah laws related to offences listed in the said section, except for the death penalty.