Parti Amanah Negara has questioned why the government is explaining the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) (Amendment) Bill 2016 on behalf of PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

"It is puzzling that the private member's motion is by the Marang MP (Hadi) but the briefing and explanation is done by the deputy prime minister, even though it was in his personal capacity," Amanah's Khalid Samad told a press conference at the Parliament lobby today.

Khalid, who is Shah Alam MP and Amanah's communications director, was referring to a briefing organised by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for Muslim MPs on Hadi's motion yesterday.

Hadi's private member's motion is to seek leave from Parliament, through a vote, to introduce his private member's bill on hudud.

Khalid said the briefing yesterday showed a close cooperation between the PAS president and the Umno-led federal government.

"It is puzzling because, if the government agrees with the motion, why doesn't it introduce the motion on its own.

"It shows that there is an ulterior motive. There are political question marks that we need to read and understand.

"There are political interests involved," Khalid said.

After the briefing yesterday, Zahid said Hadi's motion may be addressed this week.

The briefing was also attended by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom, who is in charge of Islamic affairs.

Khalid also questioned why the briefing was for Muslim MPs only.

"Jamil said there was a lot of confusion and misunderstanding among non-Muslims about the proposed amendments.

"If that is the case, why were the non-Muslim MPs not invited? It was as if the Muslims are plotting something.

"This would create misunderstanding and wrong perception," Khalid added.