KUALA LUMPUR: PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang confirmed that he will re-table the Private Member’s Bill aimed at expanding the powers of the Syariah Court during next month’s sitting of Parliament.
“Yes, yes,” he told reporters after a courtesy visit to the Federation of Hokkien Associtions at Wisma Fujian, on Sunday.
The Bill seeks to empower the courts to enforce punishments ― except for the death penalty ― as provided for under Syariah laws for Islamic offences listed under state jurisdiction in the Federal Constitution.
In his speech, Hadi, who is Marang MP, reiterated that non-Muslims should not fear the Bill as the Syariah court has no legal jurisdiction on them.
“The Muslims have their own laws, while the non-Muslims have their own respective laws. We need to respect that.
“If the non-Muslims choose to be tried under Islamic laws, we can accept it.
“However, our federal constitution does not allow that,” he said.
Hadi said there was no assurance that the Bill would be supported by Muslim parliamentarians from Umno, DAP or PKR.
“We are only discussing on matters pertaining to Muslims and it has nothing to do with others.
“It is our responsibility to protect our fellow Muslims and at the same time ensure fairness to other races,” he said. – therstaronline
