PAS President Calls for Repeal of Colonial-Era Law Limiting Shariah Punishments

Abdul Hadi Awang, president of PAS, has intensified efforts to repeal Section 355 of the Criminal Procedure Code, describing it as a remnant of colonial rule that constrains Islamic jurisprudence in Malaysia. The provision, established during the British colonial period, places limitations on the scope of punishments that shariah courts can impose under Islamic law. According to Hadi, the legislation prevents the full implementation of heavier criminal sentences prescribed under Islamic criminal codes that PAS believes should be enforceable in Malaysia's dual legal system. The call reflects PAS's longstanding position that Malaysian Islamic courts should operate with greater autonomy and broader sentencing powers independent of constraints imposed by civil law frameworks. The debate over Section 355 has periodically resurfaced in Malaysian politics, with Islamic parties and conservative groups arguing that the provision undermines the authority of shariah courts to administer justice according to Islamic principles. Meanwhile, civil society organizations and legal experts have expressed concerns about any expansion of shariah court powers, citing implications for religious minorities and constitutional protections.