MCA today reiterated it will not support PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang's bill to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 because it is unconstitutional.

"MCA remains firmly opposed to any bill which it believes to run counter of the spirit and letter of our Federal Constitution.

"As Hadi's bill now stands, we regard it to be in such a position," said MCA president Liow Tiong Lai in a statement today.

He said MCA's opposition to the bill had nothing to do with the fact that it is deemed an "Islamic" legislation.

"We deny categorically that we oppose Islamic-type enactments. It has never been in our agenda.

"The Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 has been in existence for 51 years and MCA has never once touched on this enactment in any form or manner.

"Our position has remained the same ever since this issue surfaced and we want to make crystal clear that we will not entertain any more speculations on this subject," said Liow.

Liow said this clarification was necessary in light of conflicting news reports on MCA's stand regarding Hadi's bill.

On Thursday, Hadi tabled a motion to raise the penalty cap under the Act which Syariah courts could dispense to 30 years' jail, RM100,000 fine and 100 strokes of the whip.

The current cap is three years’ imprisonment, RM5,000 fine and six strokes of the whip.

Liow had previously promised to resign from cabinet should Hadi's bill, which has been dubbed the "hudud bill", be passed.

The Straits Times on Friday, however, quoted Liow saying he would vote for a similar bill moved by the government as it would do so based on the spirit of the Federal Constitution.