PAS unsure over when to debate Bill

Party’s U-turn on RUU355 shows that it is unreliable, says MCA’s Ti

PETALING JAYA: There is uncertainty among PAS leaders on whether to debate its Private Member’s Bill to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act or RUU355 at the coming Parliament meeting.

A statement by PAS secretary-general Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan noted that it wanted the Bill debated during the coming meeting, countering what ulama chief Datuk Dr Mahfodz Mohamed said earlier – that this might be done only after the general election.

MCA publicity spokesman Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker said PAS leaders were making a U-turn on when the Bill should be debated.

“They (PAS) are not even clear on what they want. Their inconsistency only shows that they are an unreliable party,” he said, adding that PAS was merely playing politics to suit its own interest with regards to the Bill.

Ti warned voters in the coming polls not to stake their future on PAS, a party he said was unable to make up its mind.

Group of 25 Eminent Malays (G25) spokesman Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin said it was not concerned with PAS’ internal problems but it was interested in safeguarding the Constitution and secular society.

She repeated the group’s opposition to the RUU355 – whether this was tabled now or later.

“We urge the Government to take heed of the Rulers’ call to promote national unity and to take action against rising Islamic extremism,” she added.

Takiyuddin’s statement stated that “PAS is of the view that there should be no excuse whatsoever to stop the debate, which began following the tabling of the Bill by Marang MP Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang and supported by me as Kota Baru MP on April 6.”

The Bill, which was deferred during the Parliament meeting in July by Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, seeks to increase the limits of punishment that can be meted out by the Syariah Court.

The next Parliament meeting is between Oct 23 and Nov 30.