Nancy against Hadi's Bill; to stay away

Kuching: Federal Minister Nancy Shukri has stood firm against expanding the punitive powers of state Shariah courts as being unconstitutional and a potential violation of human rights.Current laws were sufficient to deter crime, said Nancy, whose portfolio as Minister in the Prime Minister's Department covers legal affairs.

"I have to consistently stay with the Sarawak leaders and the State Government's decision that we are not going to support that sort of proposal, whether they call it hudud or not," she said after attending Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu's Supreme Council meeting.

"We already have sufficient Shariah law. There is no need to have a new one, or to increase what we already have, which we don't really even implement it," she said.

She said there was a possibility of conflict with the Federal Constitution, especially with regards to human rights.

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While Syariah was under state jurisdiction, Islamic authorities in Sarawak must give consideration to the state's multi-ethnic, multi-religious nature.

Nancy, who is Batang Sadong MP, saw no need to increase punitive measures on Sarawak Muslims from the current limit of six strokes.

Telang Usan State assemblyman Dennis Ngau thanked PBB chairman Adenan Satem, who is Sarawak chief Minister, for making a stand against imposing hudud Islamic criminal penalties.

"As a Christian, and representing the Christian community, we support what Adenan has said."

He praised Adenan for understanding Sarawak's diverse background. "It has been the way we live in Sarawak," said Ngau, a Christian from the minority Orang Ulu group.

Christians form 46 per cent of Sarawak's population, according to the 2010 census.

She also said she will not participate in any parliamentary vote to support or deny PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang controversial Bill to strengthen the Syariah courts.

"Hudud or not, I'm not supporting it and if PAS wants to do that, it is none of my business.

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"I will also not be in there if the Bill comes to Parliament," she said.

Critics argue that the Bill is unconstitutional and will pave the way for the introduction of hudud, but PAS and Umno leaders have both repeatedly asserted that it will not and does not affect non-Muslims.

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