PAS' Private Member's Bill expected to be tabled tomorrow

The Private Member’s Bill to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (Act 355) is expected to be tabled for second reading in Dewan Rakyat tomorrow.

PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, when prodded by reporters at the Dewan Rakyat lobby today about the amendments at Parliament, briefly replied 'InsyaAllah, tomorrow ... tomorrow'.

He arrived at the parliamentary session at 11am today but was seen leaving about 30 minutes later.

The move to amend Act 355 was first tabled by Abdul Hadi on May 26 this year.

Among other things, the bill was to amend Section 2 to replace the provisions of the existing legislation, namely, the Syariah Court will have power over Muslims and in matters of offences under those listed in item 1 of the State List, under the ninth schedule of the Federal Law.

The motion by Abdul Hadi had been placed at number four in the meeting regulations on the first day of Dewan Rakyat sitting.

It, however, did not get the chance to be tabled as the sequence often gets jumbled up. Hence, the motion is expected to be debated tomorrow, as it is the last day of parliament sitting this year.

It was understood that Abdul Hadi's motion is placed at number 15 but the government is expected allow it to be debated earlier.