Amanah president Mohamad Sabu has ordered his party to prepare for PAS to revive the bill to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965, or Act 355, once the movement control order (MCO) period is over.
"When we were in the Pakatan Harapan government, Amanah leaders were often attacked and insulted, labelled a munafik (religious hypocrites) by PAS, especially in approving Act 355 in Parliament.
"Now PAS is in power, even though it's through the back door. So the task of tabling and approving Act 355 becomes their responsibility, and it will surely be easy now that they are in government.
"To all Amanah leaders and members, prepare your debate points for a more difficult task starting April 28," Mohamad (above) said in a statement today.
The bill to amend Act 355 is seeking to expand the Syariah Court's powers to impose a penalty of up to 30 years, a fine of not more RM100,000 and up to 100 strokes of the cane.
Currently, the Syariah Court can only impose penalties of up to three years jail, an RM5,000 fine and six strokes of the cane.
Before GE14, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang (photo) tabled a private member's bill to amend Act 355, which garnered support from Umno when it was in the government.
The move was seen as manoeuvring to put Muslim MPs in Pakatan Harapan in a difficult position but it also caused friction within BN when its non-Muslim parties, including MCA and MIC as well as East Malaysia-based parties, objected to the bill.
The bill was not revived after BN was defeated at the polls and PAS failed to gain substantial parliamentary seats after going it alone.
PAS vice-president Mohd Amar Abdullah had said last month that it was too early to discuss reviving Act 355.
At present, the next Parliament sitting will just be for one day on May 18, and will revolve solely around the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's address to the House. - Mkini
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