PAS hopes Harapan gov’t will ‘give more space’ for Act 355

PAS hopes that the new Pakatan Harapan-led federal government will give the Islamist party more space to push its proposed amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965, or Act 355.

PAS syura council secretary Nik Zawawi Salleh said the proposed amendments should not only be seen as a PAS agenda or that of any political party, but an Islamic agenda.

“We hope all Muslim leaders would understand their immense duty and responsibility from Allah with regards to the Act 355 amendment bill.

“This is the religious agenda brought by PAS. PAS is little more than a party entrusted by Allah and wants to fulfil that responsibility,” he told reporters when met in Kota Bharu today.

Thus, he said he hopes the government will give PAS more space than the previous administration in pushing through the amendments.

The amendments proposed by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang calls for greater jurisdiction for Syariah Courts to mete our punishments.

It calls for the maximum punishment for syariah-related offences to be raised from three years’ jail, RM5,000 fine, and six strokes of cane, to 30 years’ jail, RM100,000 fine, and 100 strokes of cane.

The bill was tabled three times in Parliament but was never debated.

Nik Zawawi, who is also the Pasir Puteh MP, said PAS also hopes for more space in the media to explain the amendment, especially to non-Muslims.

 “Insya Allah we are prepared to explain to both Muslims and non-Muslims, and hold harmonious dialogues with anyone who don’t understand it,” he said. -Mkini