Hadi’s Private Member’s Bill surfaces at the Dewan again

PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang’s Private Member’s Bill to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act, or RUU355, has appeared again in the Dewan Rakyat.

The Bill was listed on the Parliament order paper on Monday.

Kota Baru PAS MP Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan was the only lawmaker given a chance to speak in support of the Bill at the last parliamentary sitting.

However, government Bills take precedence over a Private Member’s Bill and it will be up to the Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat to decide if debates should continue.

The Private Member’s Bill was first tabled by Abdul Hadi in May last year, which seeks to grant Syariah courts the power to impose stiffer penalties on all crimes except those with the death sentence.

Abdul Hadi’s Private Members Bill is seeking to amend Section 2 of RUU355, aimed at increasing the current punishment cap from three years’ jail, RM5,000 fine and six lashes to 30 years’ jail, RM100,000 fine and 100 lashes.

Last year, Abdul Hadi read out an amended version of his Bill to empower the Syariah courts to impose stiffer penalties but he deferred it under Standing Order 15(5). Standing Order 15 states that on every sitting day, government business shall have precedence over Private Members’ business.