We’ll explain to our allies, says Selangor Umno

SABAK BERNAM: Selangor Umno will meet with leaders of state Barisan Nasional component parties to explain the Private Members’ Bill submitted by PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.

State Umno chief Datuk Seri Noh Omar said there were misunderstandings about the Bill to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act for heavier sentences to be imposed on Muslims.

“The amendment was sought for an existing Syariah law, which has been here for a long time.

“It has nothing to do with hudud at all. The procedure in seeking for amendments on an existing law in the Parliament was the same for other laws before this.

“People need not be worried about it,’’ he said after attending the state-level Civil Defence Department gathering on behalf of Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim here, yesterday.

Asked if the misunderstanding might effect the number of non-­Muslim votes for Barisan in the upcoming by-elections in Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar, Noh said: “That is why the component parties should also explain to the voters.”