BN still has to reach consensus on Act 355, says Khairy

BN's decision on amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act (Act 355) will still have to be made by consensus, even after the relevant bill is taken over by the federal government.

This is what Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said in response to Umno supreme council member Ahmad Maslan, who said BN component parties are compelled to support the bill as part of the ruling coalition.

"It is a bit too premature to make any stand on behalf of BN.

"This needs a series of further discussions among BN component parties.

"After that, I hope we can make a consensus decision," Khairy, who is also Umno Youth chief, said at a press conference, after handing out new schoolbags to children at an event outside SK Wangsa Maju today.

Khairy said he does not know why Mukhriz made such a statement, but perhaps it was due to the strong unity shown at this year's Umno general assembly (PAU).

Mukhriz Mahathir, the former Kedah menteri besar, is reported to have claimed Khairy has submitted a letter of resignation over the 1MDB issue.

"Maybe there are people, whether it is Mukhriz or other people, who are uneasy with the unity shown at the Umno assembly.

"This year, we showed strong solidarity and unity at the assembly. So maybe that gave rise to some feelings of envy and jealousy," Khairy said.

He said this could be why there have been talk about other Umno leaders, such as the fake Dec 9 letter in Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's name, calling on BN MPs to pressure Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to resign.

Such speculation, he said, failed to have any effect on Umno.

"Maybe now they will look for new issues," Khairy added.- Mkini