Do not politicise Act 355 - PM Najib

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak called upon all parties not to politicise the Private Member's Bill proposed to empower the Syariah Court in meting out criminal punishments.

Najib who is also UMNO president said, Malaysians especially the non-Muslims should not be worried as the bill had nothing to do with them.

"The government is in the midst of studying it in detail, so that there wouldn't be any element of dual punishment," he said in his policy speech at the UMNO General Assembly 2016, here, today.

He said the UMNO-led government had made a historic resolution, by giving way to PAS President Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang to bring forth a motion on the Private Member's Bill to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) 1965 Bill, or better known as Act 355 at the Dewan Rakyat on Nov 24.

Najib said, the private motion would then be taken over by the Federal government.

On the other hand, the Prime Minister urged the Malays and Muslims to unite and forget all disputes and differences.

"Indeed, unity among the ummah is very close to my heart. If we can unite in the true meaning of solidarity, for the sake of everyone, why don't we start within our own country.

"This is the pinnacle to the success of a struggle, which is solidarity among the ummah," he said.

Najib said, it was enough that history had taught us that Malay Muslims had previously collapsed several times, just because of enmity and betrayal.

Thus, he advised the Malays and Muslims to avoid themselves from being used by certain quarters, which would only lead them to win a prize at great cost.

The Prime Minister also expressed his deep sympathy and strongly condemned the injustice, cruelty and oppression of ethnic Rohingya in Myanmar.

"In relation to this, the UMNO-led government will assist as much as we can so that the party involved would stop the persecution of humanity," he added.

-- BERNAMA