KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 — Kelantan prince and Umno MP Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah expressed shock today after learning of Barisan Nasional’s (BN) plans to table amendments to the Shariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act similarly to PAS..

The Gua Musang MP also confirmed that Umno and the rest of the ruling coalition had never discussed such a move before, much less reach a consensus to do so.

“I didn’t know. I didn’t know. This is the first time I’m hearing it,” he told the media after launching a book on Umno here.

“Maybe? I didn’t know,” he added when told that Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of Islamic affairs Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said on Thursday the government is working on its own revisions.

“No,” he replied again when asked if the matter was ever discussed among his party before.

Last week, Jamil Khir confirmed such a move, as the legislation governing Muslims — also known as Act 355 — had not been amended for a “long time”.

Prior to that, PAS offshoot Parti Amanah Negara also said it would table its own Bill on the matter.

Earlier in his speech, Razaleigh vowed that he would vote against any Bill if it breaches the Federal Constitution.

“I have taken an oath to protect the Constitution. Whatever is brought to Parliament, if it is consonant with provisions, articles, and sections of the Constitution I will support it.

“But if it’s against any part of the Constitution, then I will vote against it,” he replied, when asked by the audience how he will vote on PAS president’s private member’s Bill to upgrade the Shariah courts.