An Umno Youth exco member has lashed out at BN leaders who threatened to resign over the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) (Amendment) Bill 2016.

Claiming that these leaders failed to understand the issue, Armand Azha Abu Hanifah said they might as well quit their positions.

"What is the problem of certain party presidents in BN with the bill to the extent they are threatening to resign? If they want to resign, then just resign," he told Astro Awani.

Armand also reminded these leaders that the Federal Constitution clearly stated that Islam is the federal religion.

"Perhaps they have forgotten that they have undertaken the oath to protect the constitution," he said.

MCA president and Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai, Gerakan president and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mah Siew Keong as well as MIC president and Health Minister Dr S Subramaniam have threatened to resign their cabinet posts if the bill is passed.

The Private Member's Bill by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang was fast-tracked by the government last Thursday, on the final day of the Dewan Rakyat sitting for the May session.

This sparked off claims of Umno colluding with PAS.

However, the debate was postponed on Hadi's request for MPs to be given more time to prepare.

Meanwhile, Umno information chief Annuar Musa was reported as describing the resignation threat by the presidents of the component parties as inappropriate.

"We should adopt the attitude of understanding," he said, adding that otherwise it would give the impression there is an absence of unity.