Up to Dewan Rakyat Speaker to decide fate of Hadi’s bill – PAS chief

MIRI: Sarawak PAS commissioner cum Miri chief Jofri Jaraiee said the party would leave it to the Dewan Rakyat Speaker to decide whether the proposed amendments to Act 355 would be debated or be rejected in the Dewan Rakyat.

At the same time, he urged Muslim MPs to search their conscience in fulfilling their obligations.

“The task of PAS members of Parliament is just to propose. If this proposal is rejected it is no longer the responsibility of PAS. Here we can see who are strongly opposed to it or accept the proposed amendments to Act 355,” he said in a statement yesterday.

He said PAS still expected the amendments to be given the opportunity to be debated instead of being rejected without discussion.

“If there are things that need to be amended then it is time the matter is debated before being approved. Do not jump to conclusions before the discussion,” he said.

Jofri, however, said every Muslim MP should think of their duties and contribution as a Muslim and wondered whether they are more afraid of humans than following God’s commandments.

Pointing out that PAS is only conveying the message of God to all and it is up to them to accept or not because there is no compulsion in Islam. He said they should ponder the judgment they will receive in the hereafter if they do not perform their obligations.

Jofri was responding to the announcement by the government that it would not take over the tabling of a bill to amend the Syariah Courts ( Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (Act 355) which was first tabled as a Private Member’s Bill by PAS president and Marang MP Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.