PAS reminds Muhyiddin he'll need their support in Pagoh

PAS ulama information chief Khairuddin Aman Razali has reminded Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) president Muhyiddin Yassin that he needs PAS' support in his parliamentary constituency of Pagoh in the coming general election.

Khairuddin said this after urging Muhyiddin to consider Muslim voters who are in favour of the proposed amendments to Act 355 in his constituency.

"He needs to think about getting PAS support in Pagoh in the 14th general election.

"It is his right to choose (whether to support the Act 355 amendments)... But if Bersatu wants to negotiate with PAS, it must start by agreeing to Act 355," he told Malaysiakini.

Khairuddin was responding to Muhyiddin who on Tuesday denied supporting the proposed amendment, stressing that Bersatu will only decide when it sees the final form of the legislation.

The former deputy premier was forced to state his stance after PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man claimed Bersatu was in favour of the amendment.

The proposed amendment to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) 1965, or Act 355, seeks to increase the maximum punishment that can be meted out by the syariah courts from three years' imprisonment, RM5,000 fine and six strokes of the rotan to 30 years' imprisonment, RM100,000 fine and 100 strokes of the rotan.

A private member's bill motion on the matter was tabled by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang last year and is seventh on the order paper of the current Parliament sitting following a postponement in the previous session.

Khairuddin said Muhyiddin owed it to Muslim voters in his constituency.

"The Act 355 amendment is no longer just a PAS demand but also a demand by the Muslim community.

"Muhyiddin should give Muslim voters in his parliamentary constituency the right (to choose) as they want the amendment," he said.

Khairuddin also reiterated that PAS will continue to push for support for the amendment.

Based on the 13th general election data, Muhyiddin's constituency comprises 60.05 percent Malays, 35.19 percent Chinese and 4.75 percent Indians.- Mkini