The bill was previously tabled for its first reading in May. Due to amendments made today, the bill will be tabled once more for its first reading with the proposed amendments.
The proposed amendments will not be tabled or debated in this meeting, Zahid clarified.
He said this to reporters after chairing a special briefing session on the hudud bill for Muslim lawmakers in Parliament today.
The briefing was conducted by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Jamil Khir Baharom.
“This bill will be presented for the first reading by Thursday, before this current sitting ends.
“As the chief whip, I will get feedback from Muslim MPs on the proposed amendments.”
Zahid explained that the briefing session was conducted in order to clear the confusion surrounding the bill.
“It was held because there were many interpretations of this bill when it was first brought to Parliament in May.”
Zahid added there was also a discussion on forming a select committee with Muslim and non-Muslim MPs in order to explain to them the separation of powers between the civil and shariah courts.
“This bill is for Muslims and the allocation of power. The civil court will not be usurped by the shariah court.
“I will take it up with the Cabinet to form a select committee. The prime minister (Najib Razak) is not back (from overseas) yet and I will discuss with him once he is back.
“The findings of this select committee will be announced to the public.”
The Private Member’s Bill to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 was moved by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang on May 26.
The bill seeks to amend Act 355 in order to empower shariah courts to enforce punishment, except for the death penalty, provided in shariah laws for Islamic offences listed under state jurisdiction in the Federal Constitution.
Syariah court punishments are currently limited to jail terms not exceeding three years, whipping of not more than six strokes, or fines of not more than RM5,000.
Earlier, Kuala Langat MP Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid said among the issues brought up during the briefing session was the severity of punishment.
“Zahid is chairing the meeting and the briefing was by Jamil Khir. All MPs are currently throwing ideas on how many strokes of the rotan will be imposed (on wrongdoers).
“No conclusion (was reached) yet as it is still on going. But they pitched some ideas. Some said six, some said other numbers, so let’s just wait and see,” Sani said.