‘Reserve comments on RUU355’

KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has expressed disappointment with certain quarters who tried to undermine efforts to empower the syariah courts.

He said those who did not share the same faith as Muslims should reserve their comments instead of opposing the effort.

“There are efforts by the ulama and those who love the religion and they want to empower the syariah system with increased punishments, which will empower Islam,” he said at the Majlis Amanah Rakyat Junior Science Colleges (MRSM) Ulul Albab Convention yesterday.

Zahid was referring to the Pas’s private member’s bill, also known as RUU355, which seeks to increase the syariah courts’ punishment to jail terms of up to 30 years, fines of up to RM100,000 and up to 100 strokes of the rotan. The syariah criminal punishment is capped at three years’ imprisonment, fines of RM5,000 and six strokes of the rotan.

Zahid, who is also home minister, called on Malaysians to respect Article 3 of the Federal Constitution, which states that Islam is the official religion of the federation.