Private Member's Bill: It's too early to tell, says Hishammuddin

KUALA LUMPUR: It is premature to say if Umno MPs will support the controversial Private Member's Bill tabled in Parliament by Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.
Umno vice president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the bill, dubbed the Hudud Bill, was only tabled for first reading on May 26 and will have to go through proper procedures.
"We'll have to wait and see. The Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister have indicated that the Bill has to go through Parliament first and it will also have to be brought up to the Conference of Rulers. There is still a long process to go through," Hishammuddin told the press today.
Asked if Umno MPs will support the bill, he said this will only be revealed if the Bill was tabled for second reading and debated.
Hishammuddin also noted that the Bill will require a majority of MPs to pass it, which means it can only be done with the approval of other BN component parties.
"If we want to approve it then we'll need to get the support of all BN component parties. This is BN's strength as at the end of the day we all have to sit together and make a decision that is beneficial to all," he said.
Hishammuddin said BN's model is different from those with a narrow view who use political and religious ideology to grab power.
Hadi, who is Marang MP, tabled the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) (Amendment) Bill on the last day of the recent parliament sitting and was listed as item 15 on the order paper.
However, the Bill was elevated above government matters by Minister in Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman and was subsequently passed by voice vote after heated arguments between MPs.
Hadi then unexpectedly proposed to postpone the debate to the next sitting of parliament, which was also approved.