Malay Online

PETALING JAYA, March 8 ― Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said today that he will be waiting to see the final form of the PAS president’s Bill for harsher Shariah punishments before deciding whether to vote in favour of it in Parliament.

Muhyiddin, who is both Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) president and PPBM’s only federal lawmaker, declined to say at this point of time if he would vote for the private members’ Bill proposed by Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.

“I say wait, because no point we say ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

“We have to wait for that Bill to be tabled, I’m not sure whether it will be tabled, so pre-empting certain things which is not yet there ― I think it will not be fair to all parties concerned,” he told reporters here.

Muhyiddin noted that Hadi’s Bill could yet go through further tweaks if it is tabled and subsequently debated in Parliament.

“I have decided, I’m deciding based on certain factors, I don’t decide because ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

“There are certain things we need to be clarified, because when Bills are tabled, there are certain things that will be debated and amendment be made, will that amendment go through or not go through will have implications on those who want to support or not to support,” he said.

He confirmed that he will wait for the final version of the Bill, saying: “Yes, that’s right, I think that’s only fair.”

Hadi’s Bill is aimed at amending the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965, or Act 355 to increase the Shariah courts’ sentencing powers from its current limits of a maximum of three years’ jail, RM5,000 fine and six lashes.

Hadi’s Bill in its latest form now wants to increase the Shariah courts’ maximum sentencing limits to 30 years’ jail, RM100,000 fine and 100 strokes of the cane.

Hadi’s Bill has already appeared in the Dewan Rakyat’s Order Paper in four parliamentary meetings without going through the first reading or being debated, either due to lack of time or Hadi’s own requests twice for deferment.

Hadi’s motion proposing the Bill was seen in the Dewan Rakyat Order Paper on Tuesday, which means this is the fifth parliamentary meeting in which it is appearing.