On May 27, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak explained that the Private Member’s Bill by PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang is not meant to implement hudud laws.
He said that the Bill is just to give the Syariah Courts enhanced punishments, from six strokes caning to a few more, depending on the offences.
Currently, Syariah Court punishments are limited to jail terms not exceeding three years, or fines of not more than RM5,000 or whipping of not more than six strokes.( the 356 )
The Prime Minister said that it was just a misunderstanding.
But the fact is that it was not a misunderstanding. The Bill has everything to do with Hudud and will lead to Hudud implementation in Kelantan and in other states in the future.
Pas president Hadi Awang has said that DAP should not interfere in matters related to Islam.
Let me reiterate that DAP is not anti Islam and we respect Hudud as an important law of Islam.
But there are principles of our Constitution which Hadi cannot ignore. Neither should he ignore the fact that Malaysia is a plural society where Hudud implementation is not suitable.
I wish nevertheless today bring up two arguments and concerns expressed by the Muslims about Hadi’s Private Member’s Bill.
G25 Group has few days ago voiced their objections against Hadi’s Bill. They have argued that PAS-led state of Kelantan already has a state hudud enactment in place but the state cannot execute the punishments for hudud offences as the Syariah Courts are still bound by limitations in punishments as prescribed by Act 355, or the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdictions) Act.
The passing of Hadi’s Bill will therefore pave the way for hudud implementation.
Former Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Rahim Noor has also come out to state his strong stand against the Private Member’s Bill.
He saw the Bill as a “tactic” that PAS is using to push further for hudud.
Rahim has even expressed fears that the move to enhance the Syariah systems could fracture national integration and might even push Sabah and Sarawak to go their separate ways from peninsular Malaysia.
How could the Prime Minister and Hadi Awang not able to see the arguments and concerns raised by concerned Malaysians, Muslims or non Muslims?
Umno and Pas definitely have their political considerations for fast tracking Hadi’s Bill. But national interest must come first.
Umno must therefore place national interest above everything else and not play with fire.