The proposed changes to Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (Act 355) or RUU 355 that seeks to enhance the Syariah Court punishment has brought about strong public reactions in the country.
A public debate, hosted by NGO group, BEBAS on Friday night has gathered four lawyers to discuss the motion of RUU 355, if it should be made into law.
The speakers; Aidil Khalid and Lukman Sheriff Alias are those in favor for the motion while Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan and Haris Ibrahim were against the motion.
ON RUU 355
Lukman, who first took the floor, introduced and explained the RUU 355.
"In short, RUU 355 is a short law to amend the existing law. The law that existed 33 years ago. It seeks to increase the limit of sentencing of existing offenses," said Lukman.
He believes, a fair argument on this issue should be about the 'limits' of the punishment because it is subjective.
Ambiga, however thinks the RUU 355 is too focused on punishment, without defining the offences under the RUU 355.
"The offence must be clearly defined and this RUU does not define any offence.
"I believe there are problems with RUU 355. Even if you say it's constitutional, there are other problems. I personally think it must be looked again.
"The best way to protect everyone is to state it in the legislation, if you state it clearly in the legislation, then you assuage the fears,"said Ambiga.
RUU 355 AND NON MUSLIMS?
Other issues highlighted in the debate is also on how the amendments will or will not impact the non-Muslims in the country.
According to the Constitution, Ninth Schedule, State List stipulates that the Syariah court is to have jurisdiction only over persons professing the religion of Islam.
"For the last 60 years, how many non Muslims have been convicted or prosecuted for not fasting during Ramadan, or not going to Friday prayers? None.
"None, and it will not be applied to non Muslims in the future as well because of the constitutional safeguards," said Lukman.
Ambiga then argues that being charged is different from being affected.
"If you look at the conversion cases that have taken place. When it plays out it does impinge, and those cases goes unsolved for many many years.
"How about the ISA, the promises that it will not be abused, what happens? It happened," said Ambiga.
RUU 355 AND HUDUD?
Ambiga, acknowledging that the RUU 355 does not involve punishment such as stoning or death sentence, believes it still involves other hudud laws.
"In my view, this does cover hudud offenses. Hudud is covered by this amendments. It wouldn't have been covered before, but is covered now.
"So for that reason, I would argue it goes against the basic structure of our federal constitution, and therefore, unconstitutional," said Ambiga.
Lukman however said, RUU 355 does not introduce hudud, because of the constitutional restrictions.
"The RUU 355, to say it introduces a new hudud law, it cannot be because we have constitutional restrictions.
"Hudud has been around for decades. Malaysian Muslims are already used to the syariah laws.
The proposal to amend this act has been listed at this term's Dewan Rakyat sitting.
At the same time, Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has also confirmed that the Barisan Nasional government will table RUU 355.
The bill seeks to amend the Act, also known as Act 355 or RUU355, to empower Islamic courts to enforce punishment, except for the death penalty, provided in Syariah laws for Islamic offences listed under state jurisdiction in the Federal Constitution.
Dania Zainuddin
Sat Mar 18 2017
Ambiga then argues that being charged is different from being affected.
Freedom Flotilla to Gaza: Guinea-Bissau akur kepada Israel, tidak beri kebenaran guna bendera bagi misi pelayaran
Kerajaan Republik Guinea-Bissau dilaporkan tunduk dan akur kepada gesaan Israel untuk tidak membenarkan misi pelayaran Break The Siege: Freedom Flotilla to Gaza menggunakan bendera mereka.
Penyakit berkaitan haba dikhuatiri meningkat di Gaza
Penularan penyakit berkaitan haba panas menjadi kebimbangan terbaharu di Gaza selepas suhu luar jangka melampau melanda wilayah itu setiap hari. Ia sudah semestinya diburukkan lagi dengan kekurangan air bersih dan ketiadaan sistem pembuangan sisa pepejal yang sepatutnya wujud di sesebuah kawasan didiami manusia.
Ilhan Omar melawat peserta tunjuk perasaan
Wakil Dewan Perwakilan Amerika Syarikat (AS) Ilhan Omar mengadakan lawatan di kampus penyokong Pro Palestin di Universiti Columbia New York pada Khamis.
Dua lelaki didakwa jadi 'tali barut' kepada China
Dua lelaki yang mana salah seorangnya pernah bertugas di Parlimen United Kingdom (UK) enjalani proses perbicaraan di mahkamah London pada Jumaat selepas didakwa menjadi tali barut menyalurkan maklumat sulit kerajaan kepada negara tembok besar itu.
Polis serbu pejabat 'Save the Children' di Guatemala
Polis Guatemala melakukan serbuan mengejut ke atas pejabat-pejabat Pertubuhan Save the Children di pelbagai lokasi di negara itu. Ia bagi mencari bukti dakwaan pertubuhan yang memperjuangkan kebajikan kanak-kanak itu, terlibat dalam jenayah penderaan terhadap golongan itu.
LIMA '25 dianjurkan pada 20-24 Mei tahun depan
Pameran Maritim dan Aeroangkasa Antarabangsa Langkawi 2025 (LlMA ‘25) akan dianjurkan pada 20 hingga 24 Mei tahun depan bertemakan Innovate Today, Thrive Tomorrow.
Malaysia komited tingkat hubungan dua hala bersama Libya
Malaysia terus komited mempertingkatkan hubungan dua hala yang berterusan bersama Libya demi manfaat bersama dalam pelbagai sektor.
Demi rakyat, Zahid-Muhyiddin henti saman fitnah
Presiden Umno, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi dan Presiden Bersatu, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin bersepakat untuk menamatkan pertikaian peribadi antara mereka.
Sultan Selangor berangkat ke Majlis Bacaan Yassin di Pangkalan TLDM
Sultan Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah yang juga Kepten Yang Dipertua Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia (TLDM) berkenan berangkat ke Pangkalan TLDM Lumut di Perak bagi menghadiri Majlis Bacaan Yasin, Tahlil dan Khutbah Khas sempena Sambutan Hari TLDM ke-90.
PM Anwar pulangkan elaun Pengerusi Khazanah
Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim memaklumkan beliau memulangkan elaun sebagai pengerusi Khazanah Nasional Berhad yang diterimanya dan sekali lagi menegaskan tidak menerima gaji bagi jawatan Perdana Menteri yang disandangnya sejak November 2022.
Mahkamah Syariah, undang-undang Islam tidak akan terkubur. Ini apa yang anda perlu tahu
Hari ini, Mahkamah Persekutuan memutuskan Parlimen dan Badan Perundangan Negeri tidak boleh membuat undang-undang melangkaui senarai perundangan dalam Jadual Kesembilan Perlembagaan Persekutuan.
Hudud: Keutamaan pastikan kerajaan stabil, tunggu keadaan mengizinkan - Mohd Amar
Antara matlamat perjuangan Pas adalah untuk melaksanakan syariat Islam, termasuklah undang-undang hudud.
"Jangan tanya bila nak buat hudud" - Pas Kelantan
Kerajaan Perikatan Nasional ketika ini masih 'tidak kukuh', jadi jangan ditanya bila hudud akan dilaksanakan, kata Pas Kelantan.
Terlalu awal bercakap soal Rang Undang-undang 355 - Mohd Amar
Dalam masa dua bulan ini tidak boleh terlalu mengharapkan suatu benda yang besar.
PBB bidas Brunei laksana hukuman hudud
PBB bidas kerajaan Brunei kerana mahu laksana undang-undang hudud yang antara lain merejam pelaku homoseksual.
Hudud: Brunei laksana hukuman rejam sampai mati April ini?
Memetik kenyataan pihak berkuasa negara itu, beberapa portal antarabangsa sejak semalam mendakwa hukuman tersebut akan mula dikuatkuasakan mulai minggu depan.
Pasangan gay kedua di Aceh disebat di khalayak ramai
Sepasang lelaki homoseksual disebat lebih 80 kali secara terbuka di wilayah Aceh, Indonesia pada Jumaat kerana melakukan hubungan seks sejenis.
Tiada perbahasan RUU 355 dalam Dewan Rakyat
Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan bertanyakan soal masa hadapan pembentangan RUU 355 memandangkan usul itu sudah dibentangkan namun masih belum dibahaskan.
Tukang potong tangan sudah ada bagi kesalahan curi - Mohd Amar
Kerajaan negeri Kelantan sudah mempunyai senarai individu yang akan melaksanakan hukuman potong tangan yang terdiri daripada pakar bedah jika hukum hudud dilaksanakan kelak.
Hukum hudud: Kelantan tunggu lampu hijau - MB
Kelantan belanjakan RM1 juta setahun melengkapkan sistem perundangan mahkamah syariah, membangunkan prasarana dan menjalankan kempen.