Dewan Rakyat speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia's act of denying debate on PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang's syariah amendments proves BN wants to prolong the politicised issue, said a PKR leader.

"We view the polemic surrounding (the amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965, or Act 355) that has been played up by Umno before this, should not continue to be used as political capital that would bring about unease in society," PKR Youth deputy chief Afif Bahardin said today.

"We also condemn the Parliament speaker Pandikar Amin  Mulia's act to deny debate on the amendments by terminating the parliamentary session earlier than usual.

"His action is proof of how BN, in a planned manner, is deliberately dragging out this issue to create long-term controversy and polemic," Afif said in a statement.

Hailing his party de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim's statement on the amendments, he said PKR Youth supported the jailed leader's call for a more holistic exercise to strengthen syariah courts by forming a select committee on the matter, rather than just Hadi's amendments to increase punishment limits.

Afif said PKR Youth respects Marang MP Hadi's democratic right to table his bill but urged more constructive and meaningful steps to strengthen the syariah courts such as a debate on the issues involved.

"We urge all parties to stop all prejudice and reckless actions in confronting the Act 355 issue," he said.

'Speaker did not keep his word'

Penampang MP Darell Leiking also questioned the speaker's actions last week for going back on his word to allow time for debate.

"I wonder why BN allowed Hadi to read through his motion as well as Kota Baru MP (Takiyuddin Hassan, PAS) to second Hadi's motion by speaking for one and a half hours.

"Penampang (MP) interjected to ask if there was a time limit for Kota Baru MP, so that we can rebut and debate his (statements).

"The speaker said he would allocate (time), but at the end of Kota Baru MP's debate, the speaker ended Parliament," said Leiking, a former PKR representative, on Facebook this morning.

He also rubbished claims by MCA that the opposition had not voiced its objection to the bill, which would remove the roadblocks to Kelantan's hudud laws.

"These people from BN and MCA must be delusional. It was the opposition who made the loudest objections.

"I heard (and it's in the Hansard and video) and observed that BN lawmakers were the ones who banged on the tables to support Hadi's motion.

"MCA and their comrades in BN could easily have asked the cabinet to discuss more important bills such as the Law Reform Marriage Ac," he said, accusing MCA and BN component parties of having been "ordered" not to obstruct Hadi's motion.