KUALA LUMPUR: Perikatan Nasional will submit a special memorandum to the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia (MKI) to strengthen syariah laws in the country.
Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said the memorandum contains proposals for the government to consider in amending the Federal Constitution.
He said this follows the recent decision of the Federal Court to invalidate 16 provisions in the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Code Enactment (I) 2019, which he said the coalition feared could expose other state enactments to the risk of nullification.
"Let not the government's actions be seen as yielding to voices that hurt the feelings of Muslims, as raised by my colleagues. This includes Nik Elin's (lawyer Nik Elin Zurina Nik Abdul Rashid) petition that could challenge syariah criminal enactments in all states in our country.
"This is what I say, all these decisions made in the Nik Elin case expose other state enactments to the risk of nullification.
"We in PN want to look forward and uphold the decree of the Sultan of Selangor as the MKI chairman, to find a way to rectify serious deficiencies in powers and related powers in the area of the right to practice and uphold the majority of the people of this country.
"PN will submit a special memorandum to MKI encompassing proposals for constitutional amendments to be considered by the government to empower the syariah laws of this country.
"When all this has happened, it becomes the full responsibility of the Federal Government to implement it," he said.
Hamzah said this while debating today's Motion of Appreciation for the Royal Address in the Dewan Rakyat.
The Larut member of parliament expressed concerns about the spread of pluralism, liberalism, and deviant elements such as LGBT in the country allegedly penetrating society.
He claimed that some even dared to challenge the country's legislation openly.
"The government must be firm on matters that form the fundamental character of Malaysian society.
"Therefore, our friends over there (the government) need to be a little more self-aware. Do not play with fire. Harmony is invaluable.
"We should never tarnish this blessing with narrow political calculations without considering the broader demographic interests of society."