Syariah Bill rejected by KL Cabinet, says Minister

KUALA LUMPUR — A Malaysian minister revealed yesterday that opposition Parti Islam Se-Malaysia’s (PAS) parliamentary Bill on the implementation of an Islamic penal code in Kelantan was discussed informally at a May 20 Cabinet meeting and was rejected by those present.

The revelation came amid an offer by PAS yesterday to explain the contentious issue to its detractors, following an uproar from ruling and opposition parties.

Mr Ong Ka Chuan, the International Trade and Industry Minister II, said the Cabinet meeting was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Mr Zahid had posed a “hypothetical question” to the ministers in attendance on PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s private member’s Bill to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965, or Act 355, also commonly known as the “hudud” Bill.

“The Deputy Prime Minister presided over the meeting that day. He gave us a hypothetical question, asking what are our thoughts if a Bill relating to Act 355 was tabled in Parliament,” Mr Ong was quoted as saying by The Star Online. “On that day, everyone disagreed with it. Which was why we were so shocked when it appeared in Parliament the next week.”

Last Thursday, Ms Azalina Othman Said, a ruling United Malays National Organisation (Umno) Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, tabled a motion to expedite the tabling of Mr Hadi’s Bill in Parliament. The Bill aims to empower Syariah courts to enforce punishments other than the death penalty.

PAS has been pushing to implement hudud law in Kelantan. Punishment under hudud law includes the cutting off of one’s hands for theft, and stoning to death for extramarital sex.

Umno’s role in fast-tracking the Bill, which Mr Hadi later deferred to the next parliamentary meeting in October, sparked a backlash from BN’s non-Muslim partners, whose leaders said they would quit the Cabinet if the proposed amendments are passed.

This included Malaysia Health Minister S Subramaniam, who leads the Malaysian Indian Congress, Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai, who leads the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mah Siew Keong, who leads Gerakan.

Mr Ong, who is MCA secretary-general, said yesterday Ms Azalina “did not follow proper protocol”.

The Bill also did not receive the endorsements from either the Cabinet or the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) supreme council, he added, pointing out that it was standard procedure for the BN supreme council to agree on such matters before Cabinet gives its official approval.

Meanwhile, PAS stepped in yesterday to assuage concerns over the Bill, with its deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man saying the party is not forcing anyone to support the Bill.

“But we want Muslim MPs to understand that it is their responsibility to support this Bill,” he said in his speech at the launch of the PAS Youth annual general assembly in Kelantan.

Acknowledging the worries of leaders from BN non-Muslim parties, Mr Tuan Ibrahim questioned why the leaders failed to react in a similar fashion when troubled state investment firm 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) was making headlines.

“They have threatened to resign. But why did they not threaten to resign over 1MDB? Why did they not threaten to resign over cost of living issues?” he asked. “Why did they not voice out when it came to issues concerning the people? They should not be stopping the right of Muslims to practise their teaching.” AGENCIES