PUTRAJAYA: The government has no power to interfere in matters pertaining to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (RUU355) in Parliament.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Dr Fuziah Salleh said any applications to debate the Private Member’s Bill must be sent to the Speaker for approval, 14 days before the Dewan Rakyat sitting.
“The Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) doesn’t have the power to determine who can debate the bill.
“Based on the separation of power principle, the executive branch cannot meddle on matters regarding Parliament including motions which are put forward.
“If any member of parliament wants to put forward RUU355 to be debated, it will be printed in the Order Paper. However, we have not seen any so far.
“And If the Speaker notifies that the proposal will be debated, then we will be ready,” she said after the launching the closing ceremony of the 2018 Malaysia Muslim Motivator and Trainer here today.
Also present were Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) director-general Datuk Mohamad Nordin Ibrahim and Malaysia Muslim Motivation Training (TAMRIN) president Fadzli Yusof.
Yesterday, Kelantan State Islamic Development, Dakwah, Information and Regional Relations committee chairman, Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud said the state government would hold talks with the federal government on RUU355 as there were rumours that it wouldn’t be debated in the current Parliament sitting.
On April 6 last year, Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang who is also the Marang member of parliament, tabled the Private Member’s Bill, to strengthen the Syariah Courts and increase the existing punishments. The RUU355 will not involve the non-Muslims.
However, Fuziah said the matter will be debated in the next Parliament sitting.