KUALA LUMPUR: Pas has voiced its appreciation towards Umno for recognising efforts to empower syariah law.
And while the proposed amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (Act 355) may not come to fruition anytime soon, Pas Youth chief Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz said the private member’s bill had led to a non-partisan platform to unite Muslims.
“The private member’s bill is seen as a factor to unify Muslims on a religious platform. Umno and Pas have shown dedication to make it (the amendment) a reality and (both parties) consider it to be a step forward to strengthen Islam’s position in the country.
“Islamic non-governmental organisations have also extended huge support to the endeavour,” said Nik Abduh in a statement today.
Ostensibly, the gratitude expressed was due to the acceptance of the bill in the parliament’s order paper.
The bill, which is expected to tabled at the end of the month, was submitted by Pas president and Marang parliamentarian Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang during the previous sitting.
However, Nik Abduh admitted that their efforts were made difficult by those who oppose the proposal, manifesting their opposition through a series of aggressive attacks and debates on technicalities.
“Such matters (technicalities) can be addressed in future when necessary, just as with other laws that underwent subsequent amendments.
“The hostility has become a medium, for those who are against Islam and unity among Muslims, to pile pressure on the government to reject the tabling of the proposed amendments,” said Nik Abduh.
The proposed amendment aims at improving the syariah court’s jurisdiction in meting out penalties for takzir offences, which are currently limited to the maximum punishment of three years’ imprisonment, or RM5,000 fine, or six strokes of the rotan.
Act 355 was last amended in 1984, when the punishment was raised from only six months’ imprisonment and RM1,000 fine.
The DAP, MCA and Gerakan are against the bill, arguing that it would be a precursor to the implementation of hudud, despite assurances that Islamic laws would only apply to Muslims.