An opposition MP has proposed that the government re-table the amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (Bill 355) in the Dewan Rakyat.
Abd Ghani Ahmad (PN-Jerlun) said the bill should be reintroduced to place shariah punishments on equal footing with civil court penalties.
“Bill 355 was approved by the Cabinet under the Perikatan Nasional government but was never tabled in Parliament because of its dissolution in October 2022.
“I urge the government to resume the technical work needed to reintroduce Bill 355 in Parliament,” he said during the debate on the 13th Malaysia Plan.
Last year, religious affairs minister Na’im Mokhtar said stakeholder engagements to amend the bill were in the final stages, and it would be brought to Parliament.
The private member’s bill was first tabled for its first reading in April 2017 by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang. It aimed to increase the powers of the shariah courts, which can presently impose a fine of RM5,000 or sentence a person to three years in prison and/or six lashes of the rotan.
Separately, Ghani called for harsher penalties against corruption offenders, including maximum prison terms, heavy fines, or asset forfeiture.
He said such measures are necessary to send a strong message and deter corruption.
“When it comes to fighting corruption, stern warnings, disciplinary action, or suspension alone are not enough,” he aid.
