The government plans to draft four new syariah laws, including the Control and Restriction on the Propagation of Non-Muslim Religions Bill, reiterated Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Ahmad Marzuk Shaary.
The others are the Wakaf Bill, Mufti Bill and Syariah Court Bill.
Marzuk (above) said several other legislations such as the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (Act 355) will be amended under a five-year plan (2020-2025).
The proposed Control and Restriction on the Propagation of Non-Muslim Religions Bill was raised after the High Court in Kuala Lumpur ruled that non-Muslims can use the word "Allah".
Marzuk said the proposals were part of the government's plan to strengthen the syariah law in Malaysia, especially the federal territories.
They will be implemented under the Strengthening Syariah Laws Plan, he told reporters when met in Rantau Panjang on Sunday, reported the PN Backbencher’s Club (PNBBC) website.
A total of 11 key syariah bills, including new bills and amendments of existing laws as well as subsidiary legislation, will be formulated or amended under the plan.
"The amendment of Act 355 is part of the plan," said Marzuk, who is also Bachok MP.
In a recent interview with PAS' mouthpiece Harakah Daily, newly minted Religious Affairs Minister Idris Ahmad said the issue related to Act 355 "was discussed and it was still waiting for cabinet approval in principle before presenting to the Conference of Rulers".
"The initial draft of Act 355 has passed the review of the Attorney-General's Chambers," Idris had said.
However, PAS Ulama Wing chief Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh was reported to have said that the amendment of Act 355 will not be made in a hurry.
The amendment to Act 355 has been a long-time goal of PAS in order to allow the partial implementation of hudud.
This would involve increasing the maximum penalty provided by Act 355 to 30 years imprisonment, 100 lashes of the rotan and a fine of RM100,000.
This is to allow punishments to be meted out that are consistent with hudud.
At present, the maximum punishment under Act 355 is only up to RM5,000 fine, six lashes of the rotan and three years' imprisonment. - Mkini
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