The Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) today released a fact sheet on the proposed Bill to amend the Syariah Court (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act (Act 355) ahead of the Dewan Rakyat sitting which starts next Monday.
CFM chairperson Eu Hong Seng said syariah law implemented in Malaysia has had an impact on non-Muslims.
"Although non-Muslims keep being reassured that they will not be affected, this is untrue...
"Non-Muslim Malaysians need to be aware of the implications of this bill and ask one's relevant MP to vote against the bill," he said in a statement today.
The motion to table the private member's bill by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang is expected to be debated in the upcoming sitting, with the government saying it will take over the bill at second reading.
The bill seeks to raise maximum penalties meted out by syariah court to 30 years' jail, 100 strokes of the whip and RM100,000 fine. This is up from three years' jail, six strokes of the whip and RM5,000 fine.
Some 55,000 people flooded a PAS and Muslim NGOs organised a rally last month to show support for the bill.
PAS ulama information chief Khairuddin Aman Razali said it is compulsory for Muslims to enact the law, but others in PAS said they will not pressure Muslim MPs to vote for the bill.
However, Eu said Hadi is wrongly claiming the legislation is part of "divine law".
"Amendments such as those proposed to Act 355 have grave consequences and would affect the fundamental principles of justice, freedom and rights of all Malaysians.
"As such, they must be thoroughly and responsibly discussed openly and honestly. This has not happened," Eu said.
He added that a hike in criminal jurisdiction for syariah courts should be in accordance with the Federal Constitution.
MIC, MCA and Gerakan have also questioned the constitutionality of the bill and have threatened that its backbenchers could vote against it.
-Mkini
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