Muslim MPs show solidarity in supporting Hadi's bill to amend Act 355

All Muslim Members of Parliament (MPs) showed their solidarity in supporting the Private Member's Bill to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 or Act 355 at the Dewan Rakyat today.

Several MPs from PAS and Barisan Nasional (BN) had also given positive response on the bill, which was tabled by Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang (PAS-Marang) and seconded by Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan (PAS-Kota Bharu).

Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh (BN-Setiu) said the bill should be passed as it was in line with the current situation, especially with the rising number of social problems and vice cases involving Muslims.

In fact, he said the proposed amendment would only involve the one done in 1984 which would increase the jail sentence and fine.

"If the amendment to National Land Code to increase fine for trespassing government land from RM10,000 to RM500,000 or RM1 million could be passed last year, then why oppose the amendment to Act 355?" he chided.

Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan), on the other hand, said the negative public perception of the bill surfaced as it was misinterpreted as hudud law, while it actually had nothing to do with the Islamic law.

Meanwhile, Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff (PAS-Rantau Panjang) called upon non-Muslim MPs to support the bill to protest the interest of Muslim community in their respective constituencies.

"As an MP, we must have Muslims voters who had voted for us, and they deserve to have the right to practice their religion. Non-Muslim MPs should try to fulfill the demands of their Muslim voters," she said.

-- BERNAMA