Decision not to table Act 355 based on consensus among BN components - Tengku Adnan

It must be understood that the decision not to table the bill to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 or Act 355 was based on consensus among Barisan Nasional components.

That said, BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor added, the issue of UMNO deceiving PAS, as being spun by certain quarters did not arise.

"I am confident that PAS understands the approach (consensus) practised in BN," he told reporters Tuesday when asked to comment on the government's decision not to table the bill to amend Act 355.

Earlier, Tengku Adnan, who is also Federal Territories (FT) Minister, attended the launch and drawing of lots for Rumawip (FT's Affordable Homes Programme) Residensi Rimbunan Bandar Baru Sri Petaling here.

Following the government's decision not to table the bill to amend Act 355, that which was tabled by PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang in May will remain a Private Member's Bill.

On Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia's decision to postpone the debate on the bill to amend Act 355, Tengku Adnan said it was the speaker's own decision.

"It is within the speaker's power; Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has no jurisdiction on this," he said.

Last week, Pandikar Amin deferred the debate on the bill to the next Dewan Rakyat session scheduled to begin on July 24.

-- Bernama