KUALA LUMPUR: Pas has praised former Chief Justice Tun Ahmad Fairuz Abdul Halim for highlighting the need to empower the Islamic law during a lecture here yesterday.
Its deputy president Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, in a statement today, said the party agreed with many of his opinions and believed that the current law practiced in Malaysia has failed to achieve its objective.
“He (Ahmad Fairuz) said Malaysia is still using the British Common Law - an ancient law that was enacted in 1956. He said, it’s an antique law because after more than 50 years, Malaysia is still living under the colonial shell.
“He is also of the opinion that any laws that run contrary to the Quran and Sunnah are void. Pas would like to compliment his opinion,” he said.
During his lecture, titled 'Islam as the Law of the Land' yesterday, Ahmad Fairuz also spoke about Pas’ private member’s bill dubbed RUU355, and said he could not understand why non-Muslims disagreed with the bill as it has been guaranteed that the amendment would not affect them.
On this, Tuan Ibrahim said he appreciated Ahmad Fairuz's view on the matter.
He added that since the current law practiced in Malaysia has failed to achieve its objective, it was only logical for the country to adopt a new law.
“Since the man-made law has failed to build a prosperous society, can’t we give way for Allah’s system to be implemented for the benefit of the people?
“Malaysia's ability in leading the Islamic banking system, halal hub and others shows that we have the ability to spearhead the changes regarding the Islamic law. We must set aside our baseless suspicions and instead look at the facts and intellectual opinions,” the Jengka assemblyman added.
Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang’s bill seeks to increase the Syariah Courts’ punishment caps to 30 years jail term, a fine of up to RM100,000 and up to 100 strokes of the cane.
Currently, the syariah criminal punishment is capped at three years’ prison term, RM5,000 fine and six strokes of the cane.