Malay Consultative Council also opposes hudud law, says Khoo Chai Kaa

Nanyang Siang Pau, July 29, 2016

Kota Baru, July 28 – President of the Federation of Hokkien Associations Malaysia Tan Sri Khoo Chai Kaa said the federation was strongly against the private member’s Bill tabled by PAS in Parliament to amend the Shariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965, also known as Act 355, to empower the Shariah criminal law.

He said even the Malay Consultative Council (MPM) opposed to the proposed amendment to Act 355 tabled by PAS, and also had requested Member of Parliament for Marang Datuk Seri Hadi Awang to withdraw his private member’s Bill.

He said this in response to question posed by reporters on Kelantan state executive councilor Datuk Anuar Tan Abdullah’s statement urging him to prove that the amendment to Act 355 would infringe on which specific article of Federal Constitution.

“The MPM adviser Tan Sri Abdul Aziz said Parliament has no right in amending the Shariah criminal law, because all Islamic affairs must be in consultation with state Islamic Council,” he said.

He said in fact the existing Islamic Bill was also affecting the non-Muslims. For instance, earlier there was the case involving an Indian couple where the wife was facing with children’s custody problem after the husband had converted to Islam.

He said once the amendment to Act 355 was passed in Parliament, the Shariah court’s jurisdiction would be expanded, in future if so happen that there is a case involved non-Muslim and Muslim, which court should  hear the case, is it the Shariah court or civil court?

He added everyone knew that the amendment to Act 355 would affect the Federal Constitution; non-Muslims would more or less be affected.