Mat Sabu: PAS to remain in Pakatan

(The Star) – PAS will remain in Pakatan Rakyat despite DAP’s move to cut ties with the Islamist party’s president.

When asked about PAS’ reaction at a press conference after a meeting of the party’s central committee, deputy president Mohamad Sabu (pic) said that the issue was not on the agenda of the three-hour meeting to discuss the party’s hudud push.

“We did not discuss it today, we continue to remain with Pakatan Rakyat,” Mohamad told reporters Monday.

PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, who was also present at the press conference, then elaborated on Mohamad Sabu’s response.

“We have already issued a joint statement on this last year, that (hudud) is the right of the Kelantan state government.

“Other political parties have the right to either agree or not,” said Hadi.

On the party’s hudud push, Hadi said that he hoped that the Private Member’s Bill which he had already submitted to Parliament, is seeking the Dewan Rakyat’s approval to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965.

He said the Act needed to be amended to increase the penalties which Syariah Courts are allowed to impose according to Islamic teachings, adding that he hoped that the Bill would be heard within the current sitting of Parliament which ends April 9.

Hadi and other PAS leaders at the Press conference however declined to comment on a second Private Member’s Bill to to amend Article 76A(1) of the Federal Constitution, which is also required in order for hudud to be enforceable in Kelantan.