Pandikar: All gov’t business first, then hudud bill

Government business shall have precedence over private members' business, says speaker.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Private Member’s Bill on the implementation of hudud in Kelantan will only be debated after all government business for any particular day has been settled, said Dewan Rakyat Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia.

He said Item 15 of the Standing Orders states that “on every sitting day, government business shall have precedence over private members’ business”.

Pandikar Amin gave the explanation after Mahfuz Omar (PAS-Pokok Sena) enquired whether the Private Member’s Bill would be debated today, the last day of the current session.

The Private Member’s Bill of PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang to pave the way for the rollout of hudud in Kelantan is listed in the order paper of the current session.

The bill seeks to amend the Syariah Court (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (Act 355) to empower the Syariah Court to pass sentence on Muslims in Kelantan.

The Private Member’s Bill was proposed after the Kelantan state legislative assembly unanimously approved the Syariah Criminal Code II (1993) 2015 Enactment on March 19.

Pandikar Amin said he had explained the matter at a meeting with Abdul Hadi, Mahfuz and Takiyuddin Hassan (PAS-Kota Bharu).

“I do not understand why Yang Berhormat (Mahfuz) is asking for an explanation in the house … does Yang Berhormat have a political agenda?” he asked.

Pandikar Amin dismissed an assumption by Mahfuz that the government was not prepared to allow passage of the bill, saying that it was the MPs’ own interpretation.

– BERNAMA