RUU355 applicable to West Malaysian Muslims only

KUALA LUMPUR - From the information made available to Sin Chew Daily, Umno has made the preliminary draft for the RUU355 amendment bill to replace the private member's bill of PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.

In order to appease the emotions of non-Muslims and East Malaysians, Umno's amendment bill will specify that it is applicable to West Malaysian Muslims only, and will not be applicable to non-Muslims and East Malaysians.

A source told Sin Chew Daily the government's draft would only make minor changes to Hadi's proposals, such as increased fine from RM5,000 to RM50,000 (instead of RM100,000 as proposed by Hadi), from six strokes of caning to 100, and maximum three years in jail to 20 years or 30.years (Hadi proposed 30 years).

"The government's bill will suggest open caning, but this will only be carried out within the court premises."

Meanwhile, it is learned that leaders of MCA, Gerakan Rakyat and other Barisan Nasional component parties have yet to be convinced by the government's proposals.

BN will summon the Supreme Council meeting on March 28.

The source also said the last sitting of the current parliamentary session would be extended from April 6 to April 11 in order to facilitate the adoption of the government's bill.