It said this was in line with its stand to always champion the development and reinforcement of Islamic laws in the country.

In a statement today, Abim President Mohamad Raimi Ab Rahim urged for a transparent and effective discussion on the matter among all stakeholders, including political parties and civil society organisations.

He said this should also include those who were non-Muslims.

“This is because Abim is of the opinion that the issue of Islamic laws belongs to all Muslims and is not exclusive to any parties to be used as an agenda to fulfil their political interests, which are seen as seasonal.”

Raimi said the latest development with regards to the hudud bill would impact the various races and religions in the country.

This is because the bill would have to go through a wide range of legal processes and it was still vague at present and had not been properly explained.

He stressed that the implementation of the hudud law should be in line with Islamic principles, ensuring that its aim was to ensure justice for all.

The matter made headlines again after PAS President Abdul Hadi Awang’s private member’s bill was suddenly expedited in Parliament on Thursday by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Azalina Othman Said.

Hadi sought to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act by tabling the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction)(amendment) Bill 2016.

The bill was to give shariah courts more powers to exact punishment on Muslims according to the shariah law (hudud). This led to the bill being referred to as the hudud bill.

Hadi decided to put off debate on the bill to the next parliamentary sitting as he wanted MPs to be better prepared for it.