Hadi confirms will re-table Shariah Bill

(MMO) – PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang will be re-tabling his Private Member’s Bill which seeks to amend the Shariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 in the upcoming Dewan Rakyat sitting next month.

The Star Online reported the Islamist party president confirmed that he will once again put in the motion after having done it on the last day of the previous Parliament sitting.

“Yes, yes,” Hadi was reported saying by the English daily when asked about the Bill during a courtesy visit to the Federation of Hokkien Associations at Wisma Fujian earlier today.

In his speech at the event earlier, the Marang MP stressed that non-Muslims should not fear the Bill as it had no effect on them.

“The Muslims have their own laws, while the non-Muslims have their own respective laws. We need to respect that.

“If the non-Muslims choose to be tried under Islamic laws, we can accept it.However, our federal constitution does not allow that,” Hadi explained.

The PAS chief however said he was unsure if the Bill would be supported by Muslim MPs from other parties like DAP, PKR or even Umno.

“We are only discussing on matters pertaining to Muslims and it has nothing to do with others.

“It is our responsibility to protect our fellow Muslims and at the same time ensure fairness to other races,” he was quoted as saying.

Hadi tabled the private member’s Bill in May during the last Parliament sitting seeking to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 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, without elaborating on the nature of the punishments.

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.