Bebas member Azrul Mohd Khalib said support to amend the act wasn’t limited to PAS leaders and members.
“We have to recognise that this is not an issue that has support only from PAS.
“It is not a question for Umno to decide for Malaysia and Malaysians whether it is suitable.
“The Islamisation of our country is an agenda that is being championed by many individuals, parties and organisations.”
Azrul said the private member’s bill – pushed by PAS president and Marang MP Abdul Hadi Awang – was only one component of the agenda.
Even then, he said the government’s abandonment of plans to take over and table the bill doesn’t mean it has been defeated.
It still remained a private member’s bill on the legislative list and can be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat.
“We will continue to be vigilant and monitor the behaviour of our elected representatives and will not hesitate to mobilise public opinion in opposition to the bill,” Azrul said.
For now, Azrul said the collective voices of the people of the country had spoken and the recent action by the government in response is clear.
“The people reject this bill and Hadi’s proposed amendment to the law.”
Previously, Bebas held a rally against the proposed amendments, on the same day PAS held a rally in support of it.
The private member’s bill seeks to increase the Shariah Court’s punitive powers from the current prison sentence of a maximum of three years, six strokes of the cane and a RM5,000 fine.
Hadi, through the bill, proposed to increase these maximum penalties to 30 years, 100 strokes and a RM100,000 fine, respectively.