New syariah law plan not raised in Cabinet, says Wan Junaidi

PUTRAJAYA: The plan to draft new syariah laws has not been raised in Cabinet, says Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

He added that matters involving religion were under the jurisdiction of the states.

"If the Federal Government drafts such laws, it is not really binding. We need to engage with states to see if they agree to such laws," said the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department on Tuesday (Sept 7).

He was commenting on a statement by Deputy Minister in charge of religious affairs Ahmad Marzuk Shaary, who said the government planned to draft four new syariah laws, including the Control on the Propogation of non-Muslim Religions Bill.

The others are the Wakaf Bill, Mufti Bill and Syariah Court Bill.

Marzuk was quoted as saying that several legislation such as the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 would be amended under a five-year plan.

"Politicians can say things but the question is whether it can be implemented, whether states will be agreeable to it or not.

"And we cannot bring it to Parliament without all the states agreeing to it because religious matters are under its purview.

"There are many levels that need to be cleared before this (Bills) can happen. It has not reached ministers (Cabinet) yet," said Wan Junaidi.