New Hadi’s explanation on shariah bill unconvincing, says MCA

MCA's stand on issue remains the same, says Dr Wee Ka Siong.

KUALA LUMPUR: The motion to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 355 was not fully tabled in the Dewan Rakyat because PAS merely described the resolutions proposed in the bill at today’s Parliament sitting, says MCA.

PAS, through its president Abdul Hadi Awang (PAS-Marang), tabled a motion to amend the law to allow shariah courts in the country to mete out harsher punishments to shariah offences. The bill seeks a maximum 30 years’ jail, 100 strokes of the cane and RM100,000 for fines.

The rationale for the bill, as explained by PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan (PAS-Kota Bharu), however has not convinced MCA to support the bill.

“The motion is incomplete as PAS only provided a description of the private member’s bill to be tabled. That was it,” said Dr Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Hitam).

“A debate, even until tomorrow morning – as occurred yesterday – would not have solved anything because of the difference of opinions. MCA’s stand remains the same.”

The MCA deputy president said his party was adamant in its rejection of Act 355.

“Whatever it is, Hadi and Takiyuddin have been given the opportunity to explain the bill to Parliament.”

MIC, meanwhile, said the MPs would have presented their arguments based on the Federal Constitution if the Dewan Rakyat speaker had allowed the debate to proceed. -FMT