Tuan Ibrahim cited former Agong in questioning MCA, DAP rejection of Hadi’s bill

PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man wants to know whether MCA and DAP leaders had truly accepted former Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah’s call for syariah courts to be strengthened.

In his speech at the pre-ceramah for the Act 355 rally last night, Tuan Ibrahim noted how all MPs, including MCA ministers and DAP leaders, accepted the former Agong’s call.

“If they had accepted the call unanimously, there should not be opposition (against PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s private member’s bill).

“So why oppose the call’s intention when it is to be translated into action?” Tuan Ibrahim queried.

“This is the reason why PAS questioned whether MCA and DAP leaders were in support of the royal call or whether they had lied.

“If MCA ministers accepted the call unanimously, why are they suddenly against it when we try to bring forth what was called for by the (former) Agong?

The former Agong had, in his speech during last year’s first Parliament sitting, called for the strengthening of religious institutions and enhancement of the administration of Islamic law by empowering the syariah courts.

Meanwhile, Tuan Ibrahim recalled the meeting between the late former PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat and the party leadership shortly before he passed away.

“He was aggrieved that for 25 years as (Kelantan) menteri besar, Allah’s laws were not implemented,” Tuan Ibrahim claimed.

As for today’s Act 355 rally, set to kick off this afternoon, Tuan Ibrahim warned against provocateurs who planned to disrupt the rally.

“We will take their photos and submit them to the police,” he warned.

Stating that today's rally will not be the last of its kind, Tuan Ibrahim described it as a “prayer” to smooth the way for the bill’s passage in Parliament.

“I hope all lawmakers, especially Muslim MPs, will support the bill. The rakyat will watch the lawmakers one by one. We want to see who supports the bill and who doesn’t,” he said.

The PAS deputy president further reminded MPs to respect the wishes of the rakyat on the matter.

“With the rally, the rakyat will send a message to them to support the bill.”

Today’s gathering, set to start at 2pm and will last for nine hours, is in support of Hadi’s private member’s bill to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965, better known as Act 355, to enable the shariah courts to impose stiffer punishment on offenders.

Hadi had tabled a motion in the Dewan Rakyat in November last year to seek the approval of the House to table the bill. The motion is expected to be discussed at the next Parliament sitting, which will begin in March.- Mkini