PAS Youth will hold a briefing on the controversial Kelantan Syariah Criminal Code II (1993) 2015 for all lawyers in PAS to enable them to be “information agents” to clarify the law to the public.

 

The law includes the hudud, a syariah-based penal code which includes punishments such as amputations for theft which critics say is unconstitutional.

 

“[...] Lawyers in PAS who attend the seminar will be certified as ‘Kelantan Syariah Criminal Code II information agents’ who can educate the public, NGOs or anyone who needs further understanding on the law,” PAS Youth secretary Abang Ahmad Kerdee Abang Masagus ( above ) said.

 

The April 11 seminar will be organised by PAS’ legal and human rights bureau and the Kelantan Menteri Besar’s office.

 

It aims to expose PAS members who are lawyers to the contents of the law as well as the procedures for implementation of hudud to ensure it is done in a democratic manner, said Ahmad Kerdee.

 

“The seminar will also give PAS lawyers the opportunity to give their views and suggestions on how to rebut inaccurate allegations about the law from a legal standpoint.

 

“It is hoped that the seminar will be a medium for PAS and the Kelantan government to strategically plan how to handle issues relating to this law,” he said.

 

Bid to remove cap on punishments

 

The syariah criminal code enactment was unanimously passed by the Kelantan legislative assembly on March 19.

 

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang has submitted a Private Member’s Bill to amend the Syariah Courts Act, to allow the implementation of the enactment on March 18.

 

The private member’s bill seeks to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 to remove the cap on the punishments that can be meted out by the syariah courts.

 

At present, the syariah courts can only sentence someone to up to three years in prison, a fine of up to RM5,000 or a maximum of six lashes.