KUALA LUMPUR: The Private Member’s Bill on the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Bill 2016 tabled in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday reflects the openness of the government, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman.
She said the move was seen to be in accordance with the efforts for parliamentary reformation that were initiated at the current meeting.
“Such a Bill can be brought by any member of the Dewan Rakyat. The Gua Musang MP (Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah) brought a Private Member’s Bill on Dec 5, 1988, to amend the Societies Act 1966. The Bill was debated and voted upon,” she said in a statement.
Azalina said the government would remain committed to ensuring that the institution of parliament was continuously upheld and the democratic practice in the country was maintained.
PAS president and Marang MP Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang tabled the Private Member’s Bill yesterday.
The Bill sought to amend Section 2 of the Act to state that the Syariah Courts will have jurisdiction over Muslims, and in the case of offences on matters listed in Item 1 of the State List under the ninth schedule of Federal Laws. — Bernama