KUALA LUMPUR: The Government has decided not to table the Private Member's Bill to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act or RUU355 in line with the principle of consensus, says Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (pic).

"Therefore it will remain a Private Member's Bill and if it is presented, it will depend on the Speaker's instructions," Najib, who is also Prime Minister, said on Wednesday night after chairing the coalition's supreme council meeting at its headquarters at Menara Dato' Onn here.

In an immediate response, MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said it was a good decision by Barisan.

"Barisan still sticks to the spirit of consensus," he said, adding that MCA strongly opposes the Bill.

The Private Member's Bill was first tabled by PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, which seeks to grant syariah courts the power to impose stiffer penalties on all crimes except those with the death sentence.

Following fierce debates among lawmakers, Hadi presented a tweaked version of the motion in November last year and sought to defer it to be debated at the current Parliament meeting.

Deputy Prime Minister and Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi recently said Putrajaya was committed to taking over the Bill and tabling it.

MCA and many other Barisan component parties have continually expressed their objections and reservations about the Bill.