BN leaders maintain stand against Hadi’s Bill pending briefing

(MMO) – MCA, MIC and Gerakan leaders said today they would maintain their objection to PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang’s Bill on increasing Shariah courts’ punitive powers pending a briefing by Umno.

The top leaders of the non-Muslim Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties also welcomed the briefing in the spirit of consensus in the ruling coalition, although noting that they have yet to receive official word of it.

MIC president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said the party would be sending its representatives to the meeting to voice their views, adding that they would enter the discussion with an open mind.

“The Bill is surrounded by a lot of fear that this is a route to hudud and if Umno leaders feel otherwise, they need to clarify (this). We hope that this dialogue will clear up a lot of things,” he said when met at the nomination day for the Kuala Kangsar by-election at the Jubli Perak hall here.

“We are expressing the views of our members and the community that we represent. But until we are absolutely sure that this Bill is definitely not linked to hudud, our stand remains the same,” Subramaniam added.

Umno information chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa reportedly said the Malay nationalist party will brief BN partners next Wednesday on PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang’s private member’s Bill to amend the Shariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965, by bringing in religious experts and constitutional lawyers.

Gerakan president Datuk Mah Siew Keong stressed today that the issue at hand was not meant as a slight to the Islamic faith.

“We have always respected Islam as it is the official religion of Malaysia, but we also want to protect the Federal Constitution,” Mah told reporters.

“However, the private members’ Bill is very wide ranging so you cannot blame anyone for being worried. But there is still time and it is good to discuss this in the spirit of consensus and BN. This issue must be settled because we don’t want any misunderstanding,” he said.

MCA secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan said holding an open discussion would be a positive step.

“We want to clear the air on the issue and we will be sending someone from a legal background to the discussion,” he said.

The Bill was accelerated through the Dewan Rakyat’s Order Paper last week after Umno minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said tabled a motion to expedite it, which she reportedly said was on orders from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Hadi’s Bill seeks to empower Shariah courts to enforce punishments ― except for the death penalty ― provided in Shariah laws for Islamic offences listed under state jurisdiction in the Federal Constitution, but the nature of the punishments is not specified.

Shariah court punishments are currently limited to jail terms not exceeding three years, or whipping of not more than six strokes, or fines of not more than RM5,000.

MIC president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said his party remained opposed to the Hudud amendment bill pending a briefing by Umno.