Kelantan govt supporters muted after decision

PUTRAJAYA: Supporters of the Kelantan government who had gathered at the Palace of Justice were muted in their disappointment after the Federal Court ruled that 16 provisions in the state’s Syariah Criminal Code were unconstitutional.

NGOs affiliated with the state government and PAS said they will submit a memorandum to the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong on the issue and embark on roadshows to explain it.

The crowd of supporters had arrived as early as 7.45am in several buses as police set up barriers in front of the court complex.

Many of the attendees were clad in white, while others were in the colours of the Palestinian flag.

Members of PAS’ Unit Amal were also seen directing the flow of participants to a spot across the entrance of the court complex.

At around 9am, a special prayer (solat hajat) was held, after which leaders from PAS and Muslim NGOs started giving speeches on the importance of the decision by the Federal Court.

At 10.15am, word broke out that the Federal Court had ruled in an 8-1 majority decision that 16 provisions of the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Code Enactment were unconstitutional.

The announcement was officially made by PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan minutes later.

As the announcement sunk in among the crowd, many were muted in their reaction and only recited solemn prayers.

The crowd peacefully dispersed at around 10.45am as several NGO and PAS leaders headed towards the entrance of the court complex to speak to the media.

Selamatkan Syariah secretariat chairman Mohd Zai Mustafa, who organised the gathering yesterday, said that they will hold roadshows across Malaysia.