CYBERJAYA, March 18 — PAS today promised to bring into place legal changes to empower Shariah courts to impose heftier penalties if it wins the 14th general election (GE14).

The Islamist party believes that this move will help combat vice in Malaysia.

In its 25-page GE14 manifesto launched today with its allies in Gagasan Sejahtera, PAS said it would approve an amendment to Act 355 or the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 to "uphold Shariah and upgrade the Shariah courts, that is believed to be able to curb the vice industry”.

This promise comes under the sixth core of the nine-core manifesto, namely to harmonise the country’s legal system and administration with the requirements of Shariah law.

PAS has been trying to push for heavier Shariah punishments through PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang’s parliamentary motion, where he is proposing a private member’s Bill to increase the Shariah courts’ sentencing limits to 30 years’ jail, RM100,000 fine and 100 lashes.

The current maximum penalties under the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 are three years’ jail, RM5,000 fine and six lashes.

In the manifesto, PAS is offering 20 main promises, including strengthening the provisions of Islam as the federation’s religion as "al-Din” or the religion as a system that completes every aspect of life.

When asked about non-Muslim support for the manifesto’s bid to push for an Islamic country, Abdul Hadi said Islam which encompasses religion and ideologies can be used in governing a diverse society.

"Not only there is no compulsion in religion, not only does Islam forbids us to have compulsion in religion, at the same time, it is compulsory for us to be just to all citizens,” he told reporters at the launch, before citing his previous proposal of a Cabinet formed of both Muslims and non-Muslims.

"In Islam, we cannot forbid what is permissible in other religions such as alcohol, pork; whatever that is allowed in other religions, we can’t forbid, for the sake of taking care of the sensitivities between races,” he said, adding that tax proceeds permissible under Islam would be spent for the wellbeing of non-Muslims as well.

When asked if the PAS vision of an Islamic country includes hudud or the Islamic penal code, Abdul Hadi first said that it was a law in Islam meant to educate and not to punish.

"In laws related to Muslims, we cannot force non-Muslims to accept religious laws. As with no compulsion in religion, so religious laws cannot be imposed. If they have laws of their own choice, they can choose.

He then said there were laws shared by all such as traffic and trade laws, while some laws were applied separately such as for Islamic family law and said all these would be taken into account.

In the manifesto, PAS also plans for a corruption-free Malaysia with a governance and legal system aligned with Shariah demands; to amend laws that go against the concept of Islamic justice and denies citizens’ rights such as the Official Secrets Act, Prevention of Crime Act, Prevention of Terrorism Act, Security Offences (Special Measures) Act, and the Universities and University Colleges Act.

It also promises to eradicate illegal money-lending syndicates in line with Islam’s requirement to combat those who practice riba or the imposing of exorbitant interest; and to work towards making Malaysia free of drug abuse by combating drug distribution networks through the approach of "amar maaruf nahi munkar”, or enjoining to do what is right and forbidding what is reprehensible.

It also said it will protect the rights of victims of crime by introducing a compensation system using the Islamic concept of Diyat laws.

At the same launch event, PAS deputy president Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man had addressed fears regarding Malaysia’s status if the party took over.

"Some think that Malaysia will become a theocracy if Gagasan Sejahtera is in power. Even more unfortunate, there are those who think Malaysia will be a Taliban country. Non-Muslims are intimidated with such accusations,” he said.

The manifesto by the PAS-led Gagasan Sejahtera pact with the theme "Malaysia Sejahtera” or for Malaysia’s wellbeing is launched 10 days after federal opposition Pakatan Harapan launched its manifesto.

The manifesto launch was attended by the PAS-led pact Gagasan Sejahtera’s leaders, including component parties Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia (Ikatan) vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamad Badri Abd Rahman and secretary-general Tengku Mudzaffar Tengku Zaid; Barisan Jemaah Islamiah Se-Malaysia (Berjasa) president Abdul Kadir Mamat and deputy president Datuk Hashim Karim.

The ruling Barisan Nasional coalition’s GE14 manifesto is expected to be launched on April 7, local daily New Straits Times had reported.

GE14 must be held by this August, but may be called earlier.