BN Government Does A U-Turn On RUU355, Says Won't Table The Syariah Bill
So it's up to the Speaker to decide, Najib said.
By Sadho Ram — 30 Mar 2017, 02:00 AM
Less than two weeks after the Deputy Prime Minister promised UMNO members that the Bill to amend Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 will be tabled by the BN Government, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has decided against it
PM Najib Razak with DPM Zahid speaking to the reporters after chairing BN supreme council.
Image via BERNAMAThe BN Government has decided not to table the Private Member's Bill, also known as RUU355, in line with the principle of consensus
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said that the Bill which has been tabled by PAS President will remain as a Private Member’s Bill, reported The Borneo Post.
"The BN supreme council has decided that the government will not table a bill to amend the Act 355 in line with our policy and practice that BN deliberates based on consensus.
"As such, it will remain as a Private Member’s Bill and it is up to the Speaker to decide according to the Order Paper," Najib told a press conference after chairing the coalition's supreme council meeting at its headquarters at Menara Dato' Onn in KL.
Speaking about whether BN would not support the Bill, PM Najib, who is also Barisan Nasional Chairman, added that, "There may or may not have any voting, so it's up to the Speaker to decide"
On the other hand, The Star Online quoted MCA President Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai saying that "it was a good decision by Barisan"
"Barisan still sticks to the spirit of consensus," the MCA President was quoted as saying by The Star Online, adding that his party strongly opposes the Bill.