PAS’ efforts to amend the Syariah Court (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (Act 355) has become more difficult with Pakatan Harapan in federal power, according to Kelantan Umno Youth chief Nor Hariri Mohamed.

In contrast to the previous BN-led administration, he said it is now “nearly impossible” for PAS to succeed.

He said this is because the attorney-general, chief justice, and de facto law minister are all non-Muslims, meaning that Act 355 would have little chance of being debated in Parliament.

“If seen from that aspect, the chances are slim but it is better that we try. There are issues we could raise.

“When BN was in power, Act 355 did not face obstruction and we even supported and allowed it to be tabled (in Parliament),” he told a press conference after chairing a Kelantan Umno Youth exco meeting today.

Earlier today, the issue of the Act 355 amendment was raised at the Kelantan state assembly setting when opposition leader Md Alwi Che Ahmad (BN-Kok Lanas) urged PAS to “test” Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s stance on the amendment. 

Meanwhile, Nor Hariri said the opposition cannot give up on its efforts, saying that the people will judge the federal government on the matter.

“If people used to say that Umno politicised this issue, we cannot give up. We shall see what the government will do; they (used to) oppose this,” he said.