You’re a crook if you fear shariah law, say Non-Muslim PAS fans

Non-Muslims shouldn't prevent Muslims from wanting to widen the powers of the shariah courts, says PAS non-Muslim wing.

KUALA LUMPUR: PAS Supporters’ Congress (DHPP), the non-Muslim wing of the Islamist party today said Malaysians, especially non-Muslims, need not lose sleep over the proposed amendments to the shariah bill.

Echoing the sentiments of the bill’s supporters, DHPP chairman N Balasubramaniam explained this was because the Federal Constitution protected the non-Muslim’s rights to practice their religion.

“Those who fear it are either criminals or those who operate gambling joints who are afraid they will lose their Muslim customers,” he said at a rally in support of amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965, also known as Act 355.

The bill which was tabled by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang last year, aims to increase the current penalties for certain shariah offences, including raising the current jail term to 30 years, a fine of up to RM100,000 and up to 100 strokes of the cane.

Presently, the shariah criminal punishment is capped at three years’ jn prison, RM5,000 fine and six strokes of the cane.

Meanwhile, another non-Muslim speaker, known only as Sivan, said the proposed amendments had nothing to do with “Christians and Hindus”.

Non-Muslims, he added, should not prevent Muslims from wanting to widen the powers of the shariah court.

“Those against it should come and meet me and I will assure them that this act will not interfere with their lives,” Sivan, who is with a Barisan Nasional non-Muslim debater association, said.

Detractors of the Bill — including the likes of MCA, DAP and Muslim activists — often argue that the proposed amendments are unconstitutional and would pave the way for “hudud” to be implemented.

Today’s rally, which is organised by PAS, aims to prove that many are backing the proposed amendments. -FMT