‘No need to form new committee on Act 355’
KOTA BARU: The government does not see any need to form a new committee to study amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (Act 355).
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa said the ministry was instead focusing on empowering syariah courts.
“There is no need to form a new committee on RUU355.
“We view syariah courts in a more holistic framework, with respect to judges, enforcement and infrastructure. These are our priorities,” said Mujahid, who is in charge of religious affairs.
He was referring Pas’ tabling of a private member’s bill to amend Act 355, which, if approved, would grant syariah courts the power to implement tougher penalties on crimes, except those involving the death sentence.
Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang tabled the bill last year, which sought to amend Section 2 of Act 355 to increase the maximum punishment from three years’ jail, RM5,000 fine and six lashes to 30 years’ jail, RM100,000 fine and 100 lashes.
He said there was no guarantee that Act 355 would further empower syariah courts.
“Before this, a committee was formed between the Federal Government and the state government, specifically for Act 355.
“However, after Pakatan Harapan took over, the committee appears to have lost its relevance,” he said after attending a dialogue organised by Badan Bukan Kerajaan Pertubuhan Prihatin Rakyat Kelantan on Wednesday.
He gave his assurance that any discrepancies in his ministry would be investigated.
He said this involved Yayasan Pembangunan Ekonomi Islam Malaysia (Yapeim), which manages a chain of ar-Rahnu branches offering Islamic gold pawn schemes.
He did not discount the possibility of the ministry reopening an investigation into Yapeim.
In 2015, non-governmental organisation National Oversight and Whistleblowers had claimed that there were financial irregularities and wastage in Yapeim.