The government did not directly table a bill to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act (Act 355) because of procedures, which includes getting consensus from all states, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom.

Jamil Khir said this is the reason for the government picking up PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang's private member's bill to amend Act 355 instead.