PUTRAJAYA: Protesters have gathered at the Palace of Justice to oppose a family’s legal challenge to provisions in Kelantan’s syariah criminal enactment.
The crowd, some of whom hailed from Terengganu, Kedah and Kelantan, had gathered since 5.45am on Monday (Nov 20).
Buses brought individuals clad in white, green and black, with some carrying Malaysian and Palestinian flags, to the protest, which started with a solat hajat that began at about 9am.
Many PAS MPs were also seen at the protest including Bagan Serai MP Datuk Idris Ahmad, Pasir Mas MP Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, Pendang MP Datuk Awang Hashim, Kota Bharu MP Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan and Kubang Kerian MP Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.
Bersatu MPs who were spotted during the protest are Larut MP Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, Putrajaya MP Dr Radzi Jidin, Tanah Merah MP Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz, Kuala Terengganu MP Datuk Ahmad Amzad Hashim, Saratok MP Datuk Ali Biju, Dungun MP Wan Hassan Mohd Ramli and Parit MP Muhammad Ismi Mat Taib.
After the prayers, many leaders gave speeches including Tuan Ibrahim, Takiyuddin, PAS ulama chief Datuk Ahmad Yahya and PAS Muslimat chief Nuridah Salleh.
Last year, Nik Elin Zurina Nik Abdul Rashid and her daughter Tengku Yasmin Nastasha Tengku Abdul Rahman filed a constitutional challenge against 20 provisions under Kelantan’s syariah criminal enactment.
They argued that these provisions, which include punishments for incest, gambling, necrophilia, sodomy, sexual harassment and others are invalid as these offences are already covered by federal law.
The duo also argued that the power to legislate criminal matters belongs to the Parliament, as state assemblies only have the right to enact laws concerning the Islamic faith.
The Federal Court will decide on Monday if the 20 provisions in the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Code (I) Enactment 2019 were unconstitutional.
PAS held several similar protests on Nov 16 in Terengganu and Nov 18 in Kelantan.
Earlier in November, Tuan Ibrahim said the protest was to oppose the family’s legal challenge on provisions in Kelantan’s syariah criminal enactment.
