The Malaysian Parliament is set to debate a controversial bill that could see stricter forms of sharia law introduced in the state of Kelantan, but critics have warned the so called hudud bill would result in whippings and even the amputations of limbs for crimes such as theft.

Key points: Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party seeking to introduce hudud law in state of Kelantan

Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party seeking to introduce hudud law in state of Kelantan Government indicated initial support for bill

Government indicated initial support for bill Malaysian minorities fearful of proposed laws

The Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party — commonly known as PAS — is pushing to introduce the proposed laws in the conservative north-eastern state, but first the bill must be passed by the Malaysian national parliament.

Kelantan is a major stronghold for PAS, which was founded in 1951 and is among the country's oldest and largest opposition parties.

"Among the mandate from the people is to try to establish the Islamic system here, including the Islamic criminal law," PAS executive council member Mohd Fadzi said.

Kelantan's state capital Kota Bahru is deeply religious and many of its citizens live by a strict adherence to Islam.

At shops and supermarkets there are separate queues for males and females, while signs advising women to cover up are common outside offices and government buildings.

PAS secures Prime Minister's support

Earlier this year, PAS tabled a private members bill to amend act 355 of the federal constitution with the support of Prime Minister Najib Razak's United Malays National Organisation party (UMNO).

The bill aims to increase the powers of sharia courts to enforce some aspects of hudud, which is the Islamic system of crime and punishment that includes amputations and stoning.

Rozana Isa is a member of Sisters in Islam, a non-government organisation working on the rights of Muslim women.

Malaysian authorities say police foiled a plot to kidnap Prime Minister Najib Razak last year. ( Reuters: Olivia Harris, file )

Sisters in Islam maintains that the implementation of hudud has the potential for enormous injustices and said it finds PAS’s justification for advocating hudud unconvincing and worrying.

"[It's] on the cards in relation to whipping especially and the cutting of limbs for the acts of robbery," Ms Isa said.

However there is a groundswell of popular support for the Islamic penal code within Kelantan, with many believing it will help tackle crime and violence.

Others believe, as an Islamic country, Malaysia and in turn Kelantan should follow the strict religious laws.

Minorities worried

These sorts of sentiments have many citizens in the more cosmopolitan national capital of Kuala Lumpur worried, especially minorities, who fear the hudud bill may set a precedent for other states to follow suit.

UMNO's political partners — the Malaysian Chinese Association and the Malaysian Indian Congress have threatened to quit the coalition if the bill is passed.

Sorry, this video has expired Malaysian politician Khalid Samad discusses the current powers of sharia courts in the country.

As the parliament braces for debate, UMNO is keeping its cards close to its chest in relation to exactly how the parliamentary vote will proceed.

"I don't know what our instructions are for us, we still have to wait for the whip to instruct us what to do after this," Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Aziz said.

"Whatever we do with regards to Islamic laws, it must never encroach on the rights of non-Muslims, that's very important."

PAS insists non-Muslims will not be affected and that changes would only apply to the state of Kelantan.

"We are living now in a multi-cultural, multi-religious, multi-racial country and then at the same time we just want our right to practice our own religion and Islam," Mr Fadzi said.

While minorities have expressed their concerns, the hudud bill is also dividing the majority Malay Muslim community.

"As a Muslim I feel very unsafe," Ms Isa said.

"Under the hudud law, pregnancy of a single woman would be regarded as evidence of having committed illicit sex."

Lim Guan Eng, leader of the Democratic Action Party, fears UMNO will not follow the correct parliamentary process with the proposed laws.

"They are trying to amend these laws by a simple bill, which only requires a simple majority when the proper approach to take is through a constitutional amendment — two-thirds majority."

Political motivations

Political analyst Chandra Muzaffar said there are political motivations behind the UMNO party's support for the proposed laws.

Supporting the laws is seen as a pragmatic way to shore up support within Kelantan ahead of a general election in 2018.

"I suspect that UMNO will find some way of supporting the bill, because they're preparing for elections and they would see this as something which is electorally useful."