Act 355: Deputy PAS minister says legal amendments must be constitutional
Amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (Act 355) still appears to be far off, after more than three years since PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang tabled a private member's bill to enhance the law.
In a written parliamentary reply dated yesterday, De Facto Deputy Islamic Affairs Minister Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (above) said the government is always open to proposals to improve laws from any quarter.
Amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (Act 355) still appears to be far off, after more than three years since PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang tabled a private member's bill to enhance the law.
In a written parliamentary reply dated yesterday, De Facto Deputy Islamic Affairs Minister Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (above) said the government is always open to proposals to improve laws from any quarter.
"However, these suggestions require consideration and a comprehensive review to ensure they are in line with the Constitution," he wrote.
Marzuk said this in response to a query from Hasan Bahrom (Harapan-Tampin) on whether the government was planning to table the Act 355 amendments for a second time, and if yes, when.
In April 2017, the BN-administration allowed the Marang MP to table a private members' bill seeking the amendment of the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965, otherwise known as Act 355.
However, the Dewan Rakyat sitting was postponed and the bill was never debated.
Now that PAS is part of the Perikatan Nasional-administration, the party is under pressure to ensure that the bill is passed.
Its information chief Kamaruzaman Mohamad said last month that he was confident that the bill will be debated eventually.
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.