DESPITE being on the same page on amending the Shariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965, Umno was not much help in pushing for the bill to be tabled last year, said the PAS Youth vice-chief.

Fadhli Shaari said while Barisan Nasional did make way for the private member’s bill, or RUU355, to be read for the first time in Parliament, the efforts ended there.

“I’m sorry to say this, but Umno did not fully help PAS. Therefore, RUU355 could not proceed to further stages. It ended there.

“On our part, PAS fulfilled its responsibility, which was to bring the private member’s bill to Parliament,” he said at a forum organised by Sinar Harian in Shah Alam today.

On April 6 last year, Marang MP Abdul Hadi Awang tabled the controversial bill in Parliament after the then BN government gave its approval. It became the first private member’s bill to be tabled in Parliament by an opposition lawmaker.

Hadi, who is also PAS president, said the bill was to amend laws on the limit of punishments for shariah offences.

However, former Dewan Rakyat speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia halted the proceedings and ordered an adjournment, without stating when they would be resumed.

Selangor Umno religious adviser Rosdi Long said the party has always supported the bill.

Asked why Umno did not make more effort in pushing for the bill’s progress in Parliament, Rosdi said he is not an MP, but hopes that the bill makes headway under the Pakatan Harapan government.

Fadhli, who is also Pasir Mas MP, urged the PH administration to offer ideas to improve the shariah court.

“Back then, PH often said RUU355, which was mooted by PAS, was unfair. So today, they should present ideas to improve the shariah court.”

He added that given DAP’s “attitude”, it does not seem that shariah law can be strengthened under the PH government. – July 27, 2018.