Respect Muslim rights, urges Pas president
‘DON’T ESCALATE ISSUE’: Private member’s bill only concerns Muslims, claims Hadi
PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang has asked all quarters to respect and not challenge the rights of Muslims as enshrined in the Federal Constitution, Bernama reports.
He said his tabling of a motion on a private member’s bill to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday concerned only Muslims in the country.
“The Constitution provides for Muslims and non-Muslims to practise their religions.
“But, why are Muslims not allowed to practise their religion? This is a problem that we are seeking to amend.
“Unfortunately, it (the motion) was opposed by several quarters, and we know that these people do not represent the nonMuslims in the country.
“We hope that this issue will not escalate like the Ahok issue in Jakarta. We do not want that to happen here,” he said.
Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, better known as Ahok, incurred the anger of Muslims in Indonesia after allegedly insulting Islam during an election campaign for the Jakarta governorship.
Meanwhile, Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties in the state, except Umno, have been left in the dark over the tabling of several amendments to the Terengganu Syariah Criminal Enactment (Takzir) 2001 on the last day of the state legislative assembly on Thursday.
They only knew about it from press reports or online new portals yesterday.
As there were no representatives from MCA, MIC and Gerakan in the assembly, the tabling drew flak from state party leaders. The amendments were later passed by those present from both sides of the political divide.
(right) greeting the congregation at Marang yesterday. Pic by Mohd Syafiq Ridzuan Ambak
Sixteen BN assemblymen and 10 opposition representatives backed the amendments.
Five assemblymen, including one from BN, were absent.
State Gerakan chairman Datuk Yap Kea Ping said although the Chinese were one of the minority races in the state, the state Umno leadership should be aware of the multiracial and multireligious sensitivities in Terengganu.
He said it was only proper for Umno to inform other BN component parties before tabling the amendments.
“We have been adopting the principle of consensus since independence. As far as Gerakan is concerned, there has been no state BN meeting to discuss the amendments.
“Our stand is the same as our national stand, that is to uphold the Federal Constitution. Should there be a conflict between the Federal Constitution and syariah laws, the former should be upheld at any cost.”
Terengganu MIC chairman Dr K.V. Dayal Krishna said the party was not informed about the amendments.
“To foster cordial ties among the BN component
in
parties, meetings should be held to discuss crucial issues like this,” he said.
Four amendments and a new section to the enactment, which will see heavier fines and longer jail term for syariah-related criminal offences, were tabled and passed.
For Muslims who fail to attend Friday prayers continuously for three times, the new penalty is a fine not exceeding RM3,000, or a jail-term not more than two years’, or both.
For those who sell or consume food, drinks, cigarettes or similar items during Ramadan, the new penalty is a fine not exceeding RM2,000 or a jail term not more than two years, or both.
For Muslims who act or behave indecently in public places, the new penalty is a fine not exceeding RM1,000 or a jail-term not more than two years, or both.
And, for men who are convicted of harassing women in public places, the new penalty is a fine not exceeding RM1,000 or a jail term not more than two years, or both.
The proposals to amend the enactment were put forward by state Education, Science, Technology and Special Tasks Committee chairman Ghazali Taib.