Umno vice-president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today refused to state whether Umno MPs will support Marang MP Abdul Hadi Awang's 'hudud' motion.

During a press conference at the Parliament lobby today, Ahmad Zahid was specifically asked on Umno's position regarding the motion, but he chose to remain coy.

"According to Parliamentary rules, the matter is listed fourth on the order paper and it is within the speaker's powers to decide on this. We leave it to the speaker."

When pressed again for an answer, Ahmad Zahid said that the matter would be decided by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who is also Umno president.

Thus far, Umno's support for Abdul Hadi's hudud bill - aimed at increasing the scope of the Syariah Court's powers - has been ambivalent.

However, a number of their BN coalition allies have publicly stated that they would not support the bill.

Abdul Hadi's bill has been a recurring controversy since he tabled a private member's bill on March 19 last year to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965.

Presently, the law limits the sentencing power of the Syariah Courts to RM5,000 fine, six lashes and three years' jail.

By lifting these limits, the Syariah Courts in Kelantan and Terengganu would be able to impose capital punishment introduced in 1993 and 2003 respectively, when PAS ruled the two states.

Since March last year, Abdul Hadi's bill has repeatedly appeared on the Parliamentary Order Paper, which is widely considered favourable treatment for a opposition bill.

However, it appears unlikely that the bill will be debated in the Dewan Rakyat even during the current Parliamentary sitting.