Act 355 amendment? It's still too early, says religious affairs minister

Islamic Affairs Minister Zulkifli Mohamad says he will act on matters pertaining to the ministry according to priority.

Zulkifli was asked on the implementation of the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) (Amendment) 2016 bill to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (Act 355), notably in Kelantan and Terengganu.

"Good question but it's still too early to ask as I haven't entered the office yet.

"God willing, we will see which matter has the utmost priority, and we will focus on that first," he told the media in Putrajaya today.

The Private Member's Bill brought forward by PAS President Abdul Hadi Awang seeks to amend Act 355 to impose a heavier sentence.

The bill suggested an offender be given up to a 30-year jail term, a fine not exceeding RM100,000 and up to 100 lashes of the whip.

Under the current Syariah law, the jail term is up to three years, a fine not exceeding RM5,000 and up to six lashes of the whip.

Some political parties see the move as opening the door to implementing hudud.

One of the parties that rejected the bill was MCA, who is now alongside PAS in the Perikatan Nasional government.

Although Hadi (above) has tabled the bill in Parliament three times since 2016, it has yet to be debated.

LGBT: Let the respective religious department handle it

Asked if he would also focus on the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community, Zulkifli said he will let the matter be answered by the respective department based on their guidelines.

"If it's possible, I want every matter to be answered by the respective department.

"Matters pertaining to Yapeim goes to Yapeim, same for Tabung Haji.

"But the information (from respective departments) must come to me first so it's easy to coordinate.

"I don't want to keep on answering, no way," he said.

He explained that the coordination between him and other departments under his ministry is necessary to avoid inaccurate information.

Zulkifli advises employees to come early to work

Meanwhile, Zulkifli also urged his officers and the rest of the ministry's employees to check their tardiness.

Quoting the popular Islamic figure Imam Shafie, time is like a sword.

"If you don't cut it, it will cut you. If you are late, you are left behind.

"Enough with the stigma that the religious people are weak and have poor management, and that religious agencies are weak.

"That's not our style. Come early, punch-in early, and finish your work early," he said.

Also present was his deputy Ahmad Marzuk Shaary. - Mkini