Will Hadi’s Bill resurface and why should we care?
(MMO) – PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang is expected to explain during the month-long Parliament meeting starting today his Bill for harsher Shariah punishments.
Although the Islamist party president’s private member’s Bill was tentatively listed on the Dewan Rakyat’s Order Paper for today, it remains to be seen if it will actually be listed.
If it does appear in the Order Paper, this will be the fifth Parliament meeting where it makes its appearance, showing just how long PAS (and the government, to a certain extent) have been playing a “will they, won’t they” game with citizens on the controversial Bill.
1. What is Hadi’s Bill?
Known as “Hadi’s Bill” after its chief proponent, it has also been given the nickname of “RUU355”, as it is a Bill aimed at amending the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965, or Act 355.
The federal law of Act 355 currently limits the Shariah courts’ sentencing powers to a maximum of three years’ jail, RM5,000 fine and six lashes.
Hadi’s Bill in its latest form now wants to increase the Shariah courts’ maximum sentencing limits to 30 years’ jail, RM100,000 fine and 100 strokes of the cane.
This was after Hadi’s Bill appeared in the Dewan Rakyat’s Order Paper in four parliamentary meetings without going through the first reading or being debated, either due to lack of time or Hadi’s own requests twice for deferment.
2. What happens if Hadi’s Bill gets through?
Since Hadi’s private member’s Bill is tucked under a parliamentary motion, it will arguably not become law automatically even if he manages to secure the required simple-majority vote from members of Parliament.
But the contents of Hadi’s Bill will likely be pursued by Putrajaya, as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had, at the Umno annual general assembly last year, said the federal government will eventually take over the Bill.