In fact, the two parties, along with other political outfits and organisations have been doing this since before independence, said PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.
Addressing the tens of thousands gathered at Padang Merbok last night, Hadi talked about how PAS, Umno, and several other organisations had fought to make Islam the country’s main religion, and have it embedded in the Federal Constitution.
“We sent a memorandum to the Reid Commission to give Islam a place in the Constitution. They (the commission) discussed, and accepted it.”
Hadi spoke of this at a nine-hour rally organised by his party to show the public’s support for his private member’s bill to amend the Shariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965.
The bill which may be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat again next month, seeks to increase the shariah courts’ punitive powers from the current punishments, that is, a maximum of three years jail, RM5,000 fine and six strokes of caning.
Hadi, through the bill, proposes to empower shariah courts to impose up to 30 years imprisonment, 100 strokes of the cane and a fine of up to RM100,000.
Among those present at the rally was Umno’s Supreme Council member Jamil Khir Baharom, who said he came with the party president Najib Razak’s blessings and support.
Hadi, speaking further, said similar cooperation is needed for his bill, as this is a “religious responsibility”.
“We are only repeating past history that was written by those who fought for our country’s independence,” he added.
Umno and PAS, the two main parties for Malays in the country, have been sharing the same stage on issues involving the Muslims, such as the oppression of Myanmar’s ethnic Rohingya.
Meanwhile, Hadi who is also the MP for Marang, slammed those who had objected to his bill. He said they should perhaps focus their attention on what he described as the “weaknesses of man-made laws”.
“Rather than criticising our efforts, it would be better for them to talk about the outdated laws that still use hanging (death sentence), and laws that do not take into account who qualifies as a witness.
“This is what they should talk about. Not questioning Islamic laws without proper knowledge,” said Hadi.