PAS claims Hokkien group kept mum during Hadi’s Bill briefing

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 19 — PAS today claimed that the Federation of Hokkien Associations Malaysia had kept silent in a meet yesterday, even as it claimed to be unsatisfied with the briefing on a private member’s Bill seeking to amend the Shariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965.

PAS information chief Nasrudin Hassan has criticised the federation for not raising any questions during their briefing yesterday with party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang on the Bill, which Hadi plans on re-tabling next month at the Dewan Rakyat.

“Unfortunately, they did not open any room for dialogue, and there was no question directed at Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, even when the PAS president was explaining in a simple language and clearly straight to the subject matter,” he said in a statement today quoted by Sinar Online.

English daily The Star reported the concerns expressed by the federation’s president Tan Sri Khoo Chai Kaa, who said that many aspects of the Bill — which Hadi plans on re-tabling next month at the Dewan Rakyat — remain unclear, especially in areas relating to non-Muslims.

Khoo also alleged that the Bill would create a dual legal system for Muslims and non-Muslims.

To this, Nasrudin said PAS will continue to engage the federation in dialogues until they understand the issue behind the amendment to the law also known as Act 355.

“As long as they don’t understand, let’s discuss and dialogue. Don’t act and be against the amendment to Act 355 hastily without understanding the real position because that lowers your morals and personality,” Nasrudin shot back.

The federation reportedly said it will produce a memorandum to object against the Bill when Hadi re-tables it in Parliament next month.

Hadi tabled the private member’s Bill in May during the last Parliament sitting seeking to amend the Shariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act, also known as Act 355, to empower Shariah courts to enforce punishments ― except for the death penalty ― provided in Shariah laws for Islamic offences listed under state jurisdiction in the Federal Constitution.

Shariah court punishments are currently limited to jail terms not exceeding three years, whipping of not more than six strokes, or fines of not more than RM5,000.