Selangor Barisan Nasional (BN) chief Noh Omar said the bill was only to empower Syariah Courts and would not affect nor involve non-Muslims.

“At present, the Syariah Courts only have powers to hand down punishments of not more than three years’ jail, RM5,000 in fine and six strokes of the rotan and it is high time for these punishments to be amended.

“The bill is only to amend the existing law, not to introduce any new law,” he told reporters after attending the Selangor Civil Defence Department (JPAM) assembly here today.

Also present was JPAM director-general Ogu Salim Omar.

Noh, who is also Tanjong Karang MP, said the Private Member’s Bill tabled by PAS President Abdul Hadi Awang was deliberately politicised to show as if there exists a collaboration between Umno and PAS.

“There is no collaboration or ties between Umno and PAS. In fact, in both by-elections, Umno and PAS will be contesting against each other,” he said referring to the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar seats.

The Kuala Kangsar and Sungai Besar by-elections are being held following the death of incumbents, Wan Mohammad Khair-il Wan Ahmad and Noriah Kasnon, in a helicopter crash in Sebuyau, Sarawak on May 5.

Both by-elections will be held simultaneously on June 18, while the nomination day is set for June 5.

– BERNAMA