RUU 355 RALLY
Lawmakers urged to support bill or risk losing voters in GE14
LAWMAKERS who do not support Pas’s hudud-linked private member’s bill in Parliament risk seeing their Muslim vote base dissipate in the 14th General Election (GE14).
This was the warning issued by several speakers during yesterday’s RUU 355 rally at Padang Merbok, which was organised by Pas in support of the bill, which aims to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (Act 355).
Among them was Selangor Pas deputy commissioner III, Ahmad Dusuki Abd Rani, who said parties that had “borrowed” Pas seats to contest in the 13th General Election should return them for opposing the Islamic party’s campaign.
“We heard the voices of those who oppose our effort. To the hypocrites (munafik), if it’s true that Act 355 is against the al-Quran and hadith of Prophet Muhammad, show us the proof. Let’s tell them (members of parliament who oppose Act 355) that no votes will be given to them. They also have to give us back all the seats that were once lent to them,” Dusuki said.
Present was Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, who said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had given his blessings for him to attend the gathering in support of elevating the syariah courts’ standing.
“I met Najib and his deputy this morning. The prime minister gave his blessings for me to be here.
“Some are asking whether the proposed amendments would lead to a backdoor introduction of hudud. They are clearly confused, as this has nothing (to do with) hudud-related offences,” Jamil told rally-goers.
Pas deputy president Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said: “We hope all quarters stop any form of provocations that bring no good. All of us here must act as the ummah’s spokesman and dispel lies about Act 355,” he said, while reiterating that the amendments to the act would not affect non-Muslims.
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Special Envoy to Myanmar Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar, Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, Pas deputy spiritual leader and Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob, and celebrity religious speaker Ustaz Azhar Idrus were present.
The bill is expected to be tabled by Hadi next month, amid flak from several quarters claiming that it would be a precursor to the implementation of hudud in Kelantan.
Hadi had reiterated that he was pushing to increase the syariah court’s limits in meting out punishments over takzir offences, for which existing punishments are capped at a maximum of three years’ imprisonment, or RM5,000 fine, or six strokes of the rotan.
Takzir offences, including khalwat (close proximity) and not fasting during Ramadan, differ from hudud or qisas, both of which relate to crimes such as murder and theft. Act 355 was last amended in 1984, when the punishment was raised from six months’ imprisonment and RM1,000 fine.
Police said yesterday’s rally saw more than 20,000 people at 6pm. Clad in purple clothes, participants held banners, flags and placards in support of the bill.
Rally speakers made it clear that an amendment to Act 355 was necessary, as they felt the punishments meted out by syariah courts were too light. They deemed the current provisions under the act, which had not been amended for three decades, to be “outdated”.
The rally, which started at 2pm and ended at midnight, proceeded peacefully without any untoward incidents.