PETALING JAYA: The Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (Act 355) is not a question of religion or empowering the Shariah courts, but a political one.
Former law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim said, if Act 355 was really about religion, surely the Conference of Rulers would have agreed to it.
"If this is a religious issue, why did (Pas president) Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang go to see the Prime Minister about it? They both have the same objective and it is a political one," he said at a rally opposing Abdul Hadi's Private Member's Bill at the Taman Jaya lakeside today.
Zaid said Abdul Hadi had once called Umno 'kafir' (infidels) and had told wives of Umno members to remarry.
"Have we forgotten the damage he had done to Muslims in Malaysia? He is not fit to be a Muslim leader in this country," he said to a modest attendance of just over 100 people.
He said Muslims should not feel guilty about dishonouring Islam if they do not vote for Act 355.
"Make sure your MPs reject Act 355," he said.