Former Umno MP files suit against Hadi’s Bill
Mohamed Tawfik Ismail says the bill is in contempt of the Rulers’ Conference as prior consent was not obtained
(FMT) – A former Umno MP has filed a suit seeking to declare PAS’ private member’s bill as unconstitutional and one that flouts Parliament procedures.
Mohamed Tawfik Ismail named Dewan Rakyat Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia and its secretary Roosme Hamzah as defendants, reported The Star.
Tawfik, the son of the country’s second deputy prime minister Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, filed the court papers Friday afternoon.
He said the Dewan Rakyat’s decision to allow a motion to table the bill by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang was in contempt of the Rulers’ Conference as prior consent was not obtained.
Tawfik is seeking 10 declarations and orders that would effectively stop the tabling of the bill to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act (1965).
He said his solicitors would serve the papers on the defendants on Wednesday.
The bill to amend Act 355 seeks to increase the maximum punishments for shariah offences and was first tabled last year by Hadi.
He has sought to increase the maximum punishment for shariah offences to 30 years’ jail, 100 lashes of the cane, and RM100,000 in fines.
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi recently announced that the federal government would take over and table the private member’s bill to amend the act.
However, along with those in the opposition, Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties have strenuously objected to the bill, with some interpreting it as a way to introduce hudud law in Malaysia.
On Wednesday the government called off plans to take over and table the bill after taking into account the consensus of the BN coalition parties.