Noh Omar (second left) presenting a certificate to Saadiah Ishak during the Selangor Civil Defence Department (JPAM) assembly in Sabak Bernam, Selangor. — Bernama photo
SABAK BERNAM: Non-Muslim voters in Sungai Besar parliamentary constituency are advised not to worry about the Private Member’s Bill to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act tabled in the Dewan Rakyat last Thursday as it has nothing to do with hudud.
Selangor Barisan Nasional (BN) leader Datuk Seri Noh Omar said the bill was only a suggestion to empower Syariah Courts and would not affect or involve the non-Muslims.
“At present, the Syariah Courts only have powers to hand down punishments of not more than three years’ jail, RM5,000 in fine and six strokes of the rotan and it is high time for these punishments be amended.
“The bill is only to amend the existing law, not to introduce a new law,” he told reporters after attending the Selangor Civil Defence Department (JPAM) assembly here yesterday.
Also present was JPAM director-general Datuk Ogu Salim Omar.
Noh, who is also Tanjong Karang Member of Parliament, said the Private Member’s Bill tabled by PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang was deliberately politicised to show as if there exists a collaboration between Umno and PAS.
“There is no collaboration or ties between Umno and PAS. In fact, in both by-elections in Sungai Besar, Selangor, and Kuala Kangsar, Perak, candidates of Umno and PAS will be contesting for the seats,” he said.
The Kuala Kangsar and Sungai Besar by-elections are being called following the death of incumbents, Datuk Wan Mohammad Khair-il Wan Ahmad and Datuk Noriah Kasnon, in a helicopter crash in Sebuyau, Sarawak on May 5.
Both by-elections will be held simultaneously on June 18, while the nomination day is set on June 5. — Bernama