“Unfortunately, BN and PAS are willing to sacrifice the foundations of our nation for short-term political gain.

“Penang DAP strongly rejects this bill as we believe that the spirit and sanctity of our original Federal Constitution must be preserved,” it said.

Besides expressing its rejection, Penang DAP also resolved that all seven of its MPs would vote to reject the bill when Parliament sits next.

Last Thursday, Marang MP and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang tabled a Private Member’s Bill on the Shariah Court (Criminal Jurisdiction) (Amendment) Act 1965 in Parliament.

Hadi wants the Federal Government to allow the Shariah Court to mete out sentences for criminal offences. The bill would be debated in the next session of Parliament.

Meanwhile, Penang DAP said although the bill did not allow for the full implementation of hudud such as the amputation of limbs and stoning, it was afraid all the same that its powers may be expanded in the future.

“The amendment would certainly pave the way and open the floodgates for the future widening of powers of the Shariah courts,” it said.

On May 26, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Azalina Othman Said moved a motion to prioritise Hadi’s tabling of his Private Member’s Bill over government bills that were scheduled to be tabled on that day.

As a result, Hadi was allowed to move a motion to table his bill that seeks to amend the Shariah Court (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965.

If the amendments are passed, it would grant the Shariah Court extended powers in imposing punitive measures that would far exceed the existing limits of three years’ jail, five lashes of the rotan and a fine of not more than RM5,000.