The Council of Churches Malaysia (CCM) is appealing to the heads of political parties to allow their MPs to vote according to their conscience, rather than follow the party whip on the Private Member’s Bill to amend the Syariah Court (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 tabled by PAS.

In an open letter signed by its general secretary Rev Hermen Shastri, CCM said as elected politicians entrusted by the people to uphold the integrity of the Federal Constitution, the MPs represent the people’s interests and have to defend and protect fundamental rights and liberties as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.