Jamil Khir (left) hands over a mock cheque to Nur Hafizah Abdul Hamid after officiating at the National-Level GLCs Quran Reciters Assembly 1436H/2014 at Balai Islam. — Bernama photo
KOTA BAHARU: The federal government is leaving it entirely to the Kelantan government to decide when to table a private bill in Parliament, on implementing hudud in the state.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said it was the right of the Kelantan government to do so as the matter was not within the jurisdiction of the Central Technical Committee on hudud.
“We (federal government) have no problem with it (hudud bill) as it is the state government’s right (to table it),” he told reporters after officiating at the National-Level GLCs Quran Reciters Assembly 1436H/2014 at Balai Islam, here, yesterday.
Also present was Malaysia Islamic Development Department (Jakim) director-general Datuk Othman Mustapha. Jamil Khir was earlier asked to comment on the recent statement by Kelantan deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah that the implementation of hudud in Kelantan had entered the final stage and that the Central Technical Committee would meet in December to suggest to the state and federal governments for the plan to be realised next year.
Mohd Amar said their third meeting would also decide on the need to amend Act 355 (Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 – Revised 1988) or Article 76 (A) of the Federal Constitution which required a private bill to be tabled in Parliament in such a matter.
Jamil Khir said whatever needed to be done by the Kelantan government should follow the procedure that had been agreed upon.
Meanwhile, Jamil Khir commended the effort of the government-linked companies (GLCs) to organise the tilawah Quran and hoped it could be expanded to the international level with the participation of GLCs of other countries.
The tilawah, organised by Telekom Malaysia (TM) and Jakim saw Mohd Hazrizal Abd Aziz from Petronas emerging as champion in the men’s section and Nor Syahidah Ismail from Tabung Haji as the female champion. Sixteen Quran reciters representing nine GLCs took part in the tilawah. — Bernama