Minister: Might not be enough time for Hadi's bill

The chances of the Dewan Rakyat debating Marang MP Abdul Hadi Awang's private member's bill during the current session appears to be slim.

According to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Azalina Othman Said, after the Supply Bill (Budget 2017) is passed, there is only time for two or three other bills.

Normally, government bills are prioritised over private member's bills, which mean it is unlikely Abdul Hadi's bill will be debated.

"Moreover, there is the bill to suspend Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng for six months.

"We only have two days (to go through the rest of the bills). I'm not sure if there is time (for the private member's bill).

"Unless we (all MPs) spend the night in Parliament," Azalina told Sin Chew Daily.

This is the second time Abdul Hadi's bill to grant more powers to the Syariah Courts has appeared on the Dewan Rakyat order paper.

Abdul Hadi's bill proposes amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1976 (Act 355), which currently limits the Syariah Courts' sentencing powers to three years jail, no more than RM5,000 in fines and six strokes of the rotan.

The government's decision to place Abdul Hadi's bill as the fourth item on the order paper initially raised eyebrows. However, it was pushed down to the seventh item on the second day of the current sitting.

The sitting continues tomorrow with the debate on the Supply Bill. The sitting is scheduled to end on Nov 24.- Mkini