Act 355, split opposition expected to heat up Dewan Rakyat

Parliament will go into session for 20 days, beginning Monday.

KUALA LUMPUR: The proposal to amend the laws to further empower the shariah courts and the appearance of cracks in the opposition split over the contentious bill are expected to take centre stage at the first meeting of the fifth term of the 13th Parliament, which goes into session on Monday.

The Parliament sitting, which will last 20 days until April 6, will be officiated by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V. It will be held in the main Parliament building now that upgrading works on the complex which commenced in 2012 are completed.

The sitting is scheduled to begin with the Motion of Thanks debate over a period of seven days. That will be followed by the question and answer session, a special session and debates on various bills, respectively.

Expressing hope for a smooth and orderly sitting, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Azalina Othman Said said: “The government will give emphasis and focus more on the issues of bills such as the Bankruptcy Act 1967 (Act 360) and the law on sexual crimes against children in addition to several other amendments.

“There will probably be a few other bills from several ministries. All these lists may be subject to change at the discretion of the Management Division of the Dewan Rakyat,” she told Bernama.

She said the government was considering amending the Bankruptcy Act 1967 (Act 360) to protect those who acted as guarantors, especially social guarantors, to borrowers who fail to repay the loan.

“The government believes these people should not be charged for loans taken out by others.”

For the proposed Child Sexual Crimes Act, Azalina had previously said that it would be brought to Parliament in the sitting in March for the first and second readings after the Cabinet’s approval.

The proposal is currently in the drafting stage at the Attorney-General’s Chambers. The Cabinet has also agreed to the setting up of a special court for child sexual offences so that such criminal cases against children could proceed without too much delay.

Azalina said she hoped that the MPs would use the opportunity and space provided in the sitting responsibly and with a sense of duty to the people.

“Parliament is the highest institution to discuss the welfare of the citizens represented by members of Parliament and for various laws to be debated.

“In the 20 days of the sitting, it is hoped that all MPs will participate in the debate on the royal address as well as other bills which will be presented later.

“Take advantage of the opportunity and the space as the people are watching us.

“I also hope all parties, including government officials and the media, will uphold the prestige of the Dewan Rakyat.”

Although Azalina declined to say whether PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s bill would be presented in this sitting, it is likely that the session’s focus will be on the proposal to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (Act 355) to give the shariah courts greater punitive powers.

The proposal was brought to the Dewan Rakyat last May and the motion was again read by Hadi, who is Marang MP, on Nov 24. It is expected to make an appearance in the coming session.

Political cooperation between PAS, PKR, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM), DAP and Amanah has been made difficult by the parties’ differing views on the proposal.

DAP is also believed to be facing an internal crisis after four elected representatives in Malacca quit the party without warning, citing disillusionment with party leaders. The four claimed DAP had deviated from the party struggle by working together with its former enemy, PBBM chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The four are Kota Melaka MP Sim Tong Him, Duyong state assemblyman Goh Leong San, Bachang state assemblyman Lim Jak Wong and Kesidang state assemblyman Chin Choong Seong.

There are questions over the direction the opposition will take in approving the bills to be tabled and whether there would be a split that would lead to disputes, as had previously occurred.

After the Dewan Rakyat, the Dewan Negara, or Senate, will go into session, from April 17 to 27. -FMT