KUALA LUMPUR: The MCA will not vote for Pas' Private Member's Bill, but will support a similar bill if it is moved by the government, said MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
Speaking to reporters at the Parliament lobby today, Liow said this is because he is confident the government would not violate the Federal Constitution.
"If the government were to move a similar bill, they would do it based on the spirit of the Federal Constitution and so, I will vote for this.
"But on the Private Member's Bill, the MCA has stated its stance clearly – we will vote against the bill," he said, adding that the amended version of the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 goes against the Federal Constitution.
The Private Member’s Bill to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 was first moved by Pas President Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang on May 26.
The bill seeks to amend the Act, also known as Act 355, to empower Islamic courts to enforce punishment, except for the death penalty, provided in Syariah laws for Islamic offences listed under state jurisdiction in the Federal Constitution.
Hadi has today moved the bill again, with an amendment to provide harsher penalties that can be meted out by Syariah courts.
The MIC President Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam reiterated the party's stand that it would oppose the implementation of hudud law in Malaysia.
He said despite the tabling of the amendment by Hadi in the Dewan Rakyat today, the MIC's stand remains the same.
"While many have deemed it to be unconstitutional, till now, no one has been successful in challenging its legality.
"MIC is of the view that the Federal Constitution has provided the moral, social and legal basis of the development of this nation and created Malaysia that we know today.
"Any proposal which goes against the spirit of the constitution should be rejected," he stressed.
Sharing a similar opinion is Gerakan President Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong, who told reporters that he does not agree with the present format of the Private Member's Bill.
He added that the reason he was present at the Dewan Rakyat today was because he thought that Hadi's motion would be put to vote today.
"If they did the voting today, I would have voted against it," Mah said.