There is no legal and political ground to oppose the Private Member's Bill on enhancing Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 or Act 355, said PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

In his statement today, Hadi reiterated Act 355 is a matter restricted only to Muslims, regardless of their political ideology, social status and responsibility.

It is compulsory for all Muslims to support the empowerment of the Syariah Court, he said.

Non-Muslims have no business in Islam and they should celebrate it and respect the Muslims, he added.

"Do not purposely look for reasons to create tension in the multisociety by abruptly opposing Act 355, which is meant to upgrade the status of the Syariah Court," he advised.

"Hudud is out of the topic of Act 355, but it appeared to have been turned into a weapon against Islam," he said.

Despite its penalties being lighter than other man-made criminal laws, he claimed, hudud had a deterrent effect that is effective for the community, he said.

Non-Muslim leaders, including the late (Singapore) People's Action Party (PAP) leader Lee Kuan Yew did not oppose Act 355 when the bill was first tabled in Malaysia's Parliament, he claimed.

He also claimed that the then Minister of Justice James P Ongkili, who is a Christian, supported Act 355 when it was tabled for amendment in the House in 1984.

"Why are DAP and its friends opposing it in the 21st century?" he asked.

"There is no legal and political reason to oppose Act 355 unless (one) wants to make an enemy of Islam and the followers or pawn themselves to the enemy of Islam cheaply," he said.