Umno supreme council member Ahmad Maslan had underestimated discontent among BN component parties on proposed amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1065, said former MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek.

He said BN component parties are concerned that the proposed amendments, which would extend the limits on punishment which the Syariah courts could mete out, was in violation of Article 8 of the Federal Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law.

"All important matters must be discussed within BN. Without this process, we cannot decide on whether to support or oppose the amendments."