Proposed amendments not about hudud, says Dr Ahmad Zahid

For the album: Dr Ahmad Zahid is flanked by Senator Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi (on his right) and Islamic Development Department (Jakim) director-general Tan Sri Haji Othman Mustapha as they pose for a picture during the symposium held in conjunction with the Golden Jubilee of Darul Quran in Bangi.

BANGI: Detractors of the Private Member’s Bill to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act should not object before understanding it, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The proposed amendments to Act 355 was not about hudud, chopping off hands or caning, he said.

“I am a bit emotional because many don’t understand,” he said during his speech at the International Tahfiz (Memorising) Al-Quran Symposium here.

“We want to enhance the standards of the syariah courts.”

Muslims should not be faulted for trying to push for improvements in Syariah judges or increasing penalties for the court, he said.

He asked why non-Muslims were afraid and worried because it does not involve them at all.

“We don’t want to antagonise them, but please respect that this is a Muslim law for Muslims,” he said.

Dr Ahmad Zahid said he was open to more discussions to resolve the issue.

He said the meeting with Muslim MPs in Parliament on Tuesday was a bit tense initially because they did not understand.

“But after an explanation, they asked why we didn’t explain earlier. Our question (to them) was why didn’t they ask us earlier,” he said.

Dr Ahmad Zahid also announced that RM35mil would be allocated to upgrade Darul Quran, a religious institution under the Islamic Development Department.