Hadi’s Bill subject to majority vote of lawmakers, says See-To

PETALING JAYA: Gagasan Sejahtera’s promise to push through the proposed amendment to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act in Parliament is still subject to the majority vote of lawmakers.

Barisan Nasional Strategic Communications deputy director Datuk Eric See-To said democratic structures ensured the Act could only be amended if enough MPs supported it.

“Religion is a state matter and the Syariah court is handled by the state itself.

“Federal law cannot be overruled by the state.

“Unless enough people support the amendment, you can’t change the federal law without changing the Constitution,” he said.

He said there were safeguards and many steps before hudud law could be fully implemented in the country.

See-To was commenting on the manifesto by Gagasan – the coalition PAS is part of – that was launched on Sunday night.

PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang tabled a Private Member’s Bill to amend the Act which would seek to grant syariah courts the power to impose stiffer penalties on all crimes except those with the death sentence.

Besides pledging to abolish the Goods and Services Tax and write off National Higher Education Fund Corporation loans, the manifesto also promises to ensure the passing of the Bill.

See-To also questioned why DAP had not taken to task former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, whose tenure saw the Act being amended in the past.

MCA Religious Harmony Bureau head Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker said any party’s manifesto could not disregard the spirit and content of the Federal Constitution.

“Every party must respect the Constitution, which embraces the pluralistic and secular nature of our country.”