Bill on syariah courts jurisdiction not intended to create new laws - Jamil Khir

The Private Member's Bill to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act tabled by Marang MP Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday was not intended to create new laws, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom.

He said the proposed amendment to Act 355 was aimed at strengthening the existing jurisdictions of the Syariah courts in line with current developments, and was firmly based on recognised sources in Islam.

"This amendment will increase the penalties of the Syariah Court, which has not been enhanced for a long time," he said in a statement today, adding that the current punishment which was limited to a maximum fine of RM5,000, up to three years jail and six strokes of the cane were among the matters to be debated.

Jamil Khir explained that as enshrined in the Constitution, the proposed amendments were only applicable to Muslims in the country, and did not affect non-Muslims, as people of other faiths had the right under the Constitution to practice their respective religions, in peace and harmony.

"It also has nothing to do with the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Code II Enactment, which had been tabled in the Kelantan State Assembly before this," he added.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Senator Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said he hoped the amendment would be able to expand the jurisdiction of the court in meting out sentences according to Islamic law, or hudud, but not beyond that of its jurisdiction under the Federal Constitution.

He said the motion tabled by Abdul Hadi was to be debated and amended, to empower the Syariah Court to mete out greater sentences than was currently possible for offences related to adultery, qazaf (slander), consumption of alcohol and apostasy.

"With the amendment to Act 355, it is hoped that the penalty for certain crimes can be raised to the levels prescribed by the Syariah law, and never go beyond the Federal jurisdiction, as enshrined in the constitution," he said also in a statement here today.

In the meantime, he hoped that all members of parliament accepted the motion for amendment, without triggering any wild assumptions, and scaring the public with unrealistic scenarios with respect to the Bill.