Beware the 'Ahok' effect, Hadi Awang tells non-Muslim MPs

KUALA LUMPUR: Non-Muslim lawmakers should remember what happened to Jakarta's Christian governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, popularly known as Ahok, who was recently accused of insulting Islam by invoking a Quranic verse during a speech in September.

"There are non-Muslim politicians who do not represent their community's stand in its entirely, but are trying to meddle in the affairs of Muslims," said PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.

"I would like to remind them not to behave like Ahok in Jakarta," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby Thursday.

Hadi was referring to remarks made by Basuki, which prompted a massive protest by hard-line Muslim groups in the country, who took to the Indonesian capital city's streets demanding his prosecution.

"Matters relating to Islam and motions meant for Muslims are under the jurisdiction of the Rulers. They should not be interfered with by non-Muslims," he said.

Hadi, who is also Marang MP, had earlier tabled a tweaked version of his Private Member's Bill to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965, also known as RUU355, at the Dewan Rakyat.

However, he proposed to defer the debate over the Bill to the next Parliament meeting in March next year.

He also claimed that there were non-Muslim politicians who were trying to gain political mileage by opposing the proposed amendments to empower the syariah courts.

This was in contrast to previous amendments to the Act in 1965 and 1984, which did not see any resistance from non-Muslim MPs, he claimed.

Hadi said there was no objection from non-Muslim MPs when amendments were made in 1965.

He said PAS planned to organise a peaceful rally before March to prove that RUU355 enjoys the support of most Muslims and non-Muslims.

"What is important is public support for RUU355. Just wait and see," he added.