KUALA LUMPUR: Pas’ private member’s bill to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965, better known as RUU355, has been pushed up four places to the No. 6 spot in the order paper at the Dewan Rakyat today.
The moving of the bill, previously listed as No. 10, below a string of other government bills, which are often prioritised over regular private member’s bills, happened on the last day of the current parliament sitting.
The bill, tabled by Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang on May 26 last year, aims to strengthen the powers of the syariah courts.
The Private Member’s Bill was deferred without debate at the Dewan Rakyat after it turned up on the last day of the last two sessions.
It is still unknown whether the bill by the Marang member of Parliament would be debated or read today.
In April, the debate on the bill did not follow through after Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia adjourned the Dewan Rakyat sine die.
The bill proposed amendments to Section 2 of the Act include to increase the current "imprisonment of more than three years or fine of more than RM5,000, or more than six lashes" to "jail term of more than 30 years or fine more than RM100,000 or 100 lashes as administered in line with the syariah crimes".