Hadi’s hudud Bill slotted in Parliament’s Order Paper

Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang

PETALING JAYA: The controversial Bill on religion pushed by PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang has been slotted in the Parliament’s Order Paper and listed at No. 4.

The Private Member’s Bill to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 is expected to ignite heated debate should it come up for debate when Parliament convenes next week.

Abdul Hadi had initially tabled the Bill on the last day of Parliament meeting on May 26.

However, Abdul Hadi opted to postpone debate on his Bill till October.

Since then, Abdul Hadi has repeatedly given assurances that the proposed amendments were not aimed at implementing hudud law, but merely to increase the powers of the Syariah Courts in meting out stiffer penalties for offences except for the death penalty.

Many parties have expressed concern that the amendments would pave the way for implementation of hudud in the nation’s secular system.

Several Barisan Nasional component leaders had also objected to the Bill being raised for debates and brought the matter up during the Barisan Nasional supreme council meeting last month.

Among those opposing the Bill are MCA, Gerakan, MIC as well as component parties from Sabah and Sarawak.