Kuala Lumpur – MIC has vehemently opposed the motion in parliament by PAS President Datuk Seri Hadi Awang. In a press statement released yesterday the party’s Deputy President Datuk Seri S.K.Devamany said: ” With regards to PAS President Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang’s motion to pass the private member’s Bill to make proposed amendments to Act 355, which empowers the Islamic courts to enforce any punishment, except for death penalty, we at MIC vehemently oppose it. What once began as a bill to “expand the range of punishments the Syariah Court can impose”, will slowly escalate and affect the sovereignty of our Federal Constitution. We are a multi-racial country and the Federal Constitution is the supreme law of the land. As Members of Parliament, it is our duty to uphold this”.
With MIC’s opposition, all the major component parties within Barisan Nasional have voiced their rejection to Hadi’s Bill. MCA, Gerakan and Sabah’s PBS Party have opposed the bill while Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satim has directed Sarawak MPs to vote against the bill.
“In a system of democratic governance such as in Malaysia, due representation should transpire. In this instance, a proper dialogue session should be held to listen to the non-Muslim MPs views. Our DPM, Dato’ Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, has suggested the formation of a Select Committee to look into this matter further. MIC welcomes that move, as it is critical to engage us in this matter” Devamany further said in his statement.
“Additionally, we do not want two contradictory legal systems, with the Civil Law and the Syariah Law becoming parallel legal systems. Datuk Seri Hadi’s private member’s Bill clearly challenges the essence of our Federal Constitution, which will cause disharmony in the country. PAS has shown blatant disregard to the rights and sentiments of all racial and faith groups. Therefore we stand firmly against this bill in respect of our multi-racial country!” Devamany noted in his statement.
