PAS steps up efforts to consolidate federal and state syariah laws

PETALING JAYA: PAS has formed four action committees to consolidate and empower syariah laws and courts in the country.

The party is also drafting a proposed Private Member’s Bill to amend the Federal Constitution and is planning a special convention on Feb 24

Top party leaders announced this at a press conference after a round-table meeting with law practitioners on Tuesday (Feb 13) morning at PAS headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

ALSO READ: Terengganu set to review its syariah law

This follows the Friday (Feb 9) Federal Court 8-1 decision to strike down 16 Kelantan syariah criminal enactments for being unconstitutional in a case brought against the state government.

At Tuesday's press conference, PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said the action committees were: Study and Preparation of Documentation, headed by lawyer Yusfarizal Yusuf; Strategic Communications under Pasir Mas MP Ahmad Fadhli Shaari; Syariah Defence Mobilisation to be chaired by Kelantan assembly Speaker Datuk Seri Mohd Amar Abdullah; and Cross-party Concerted Action, led by Bagan Serai MP Datuk Idris Ahmad, a former religious affairs minister.

“These action committees will (seek) various steps to consolidate and empower the syariah courts and laws in the country.

ALSO READ: Federal Court's ruling will strengthen Islamic law in Malaysia, says Syariah Judiciary Department

“A convention to consolidate syariah laws at state and federal levels will be held in Kelantan and hosted by the state government on Feb 24.

"Various papers on civil and Syariah laws will be presented at the convention, to be attended by officers in charge of religious affairs, civil servants and law practitioners.

“PAS has also decided that a memorandum which will include proposals to consolidate Syariah laws would be presented to the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia (MKI) which is headed by Selangor Ruler, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.

ALSO READ: Fed Court rules 16 of the 18 provisions challenged in Kelantan syariah law as unconstitutional

“PAS requests that MKI also include in its composition state representatives when discussing syariah law consolidation and empowerment as this issue affects the states’ jurisdictions,” said Takiyuddin.

Idris, who is also a party vice-president, hoped that PAS' efforts would receive broad support.

Mohd Amar, meanwhile, called upon all Muslim MPs to support a Private Member’s Bill due to be presented by Perikatan Nasional as it would need the support of more than just Opposition MPs.