The government's decision not to table the planned amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965, or Act 355, was likely part of the plan since the beginning, said political analyst Maszlee Malik.

The assistant professor at International Islamic University said it would have only been a surprise if the government had gone ahead to table it.

He said this was because BN component parties, particularly those from East Malaysia, had been opposed to the amendments from the onset.