PAS President Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang tabled a Private Member's Bill to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 or Act 355 in Dewan Rakyat today.

The bill, which seeks to empower the Syariah courts, was first tabled in Parliament in May last year and tabled again in November.

It seeks to amend Section 2 of the Act to increase the current "imprisonment of more than three years or fine of more than RM5,000, or more than six lashes" to "a jail term of more than 30 years or fine more than RM100,000 or 100 lashes as administered in line with the Syariah crimes."

The bill moved by the Marang Member of Parliament was listed at number one under the Orders of the day and motions in today’s Parliamentary order paper but it was finally tabled at 12.40pm.

Before Hadi could actually begin his speech, he was interrupted by several MPs who questioned why the Bill was the first in the agenda.

Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia finally calmed them down and asked Abdul Hadi to proceed.

Abdul Hadi's speech was followed by Kota Bharu MP Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan who stood to support the motion.

The proceeding took a break at 1pm and resumed at 2.30pm with Takiyuddin continuing his speech.


FOLLOW OUR LIVE BLOG HERE