DPM tells Adenan that Shariah Bill not hudud

(MMO) – Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today assured Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem that the proposed Bill to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act, 1965 or Act 355 is not about hudud law.

He said he informed Adenan during their meeting today that PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang’s Bill was strictly to amend existing laws.

“The federal government respects the stand taken by the Sarawak Barisan Nasional not to support any Bill that leads to the creation of hudud law,” he said in reference to Adenan’s directive yesterday for the 25 federal lawmakers from the coalition to vote down the Bill.

Ahmad Zahid also said Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia will form a Parliamentary Select Committee to study and make recommendations or amendments on the clauses of the proposed Act 355, to the federal government.

He added the select committee will consist of the representatives from the ruling and opposition parties.

Ahmad Zahid said there will be no debate or voting on the Bill after it has been tabled by PAS president today.

“The debate and voting will take place at the next session of Parliament after the select committee has come up with recommendations,” he said.

Adenan, who was also present at the press conference, reiterated that the state BN will reject the Bill if it is about hudud law.

“But we will study the clauses and implications of Hadi’s Bill after the select committee has come up with the recommendations.

“There will be no hudud law in Sarawak and I have made this very clear before,” he said, adding that the state Barisan Nasional will give its support if the Bill is about other things.

Hadi today tabled his motion on the amended Bill, but deferred discussions to the next parliamentary meeting.