hudud laws: what say you?

KUALA TERENGGANU: PKR will not reject outright PAS’ plan to implement hudud law, said its de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He also dismissed Karpal Singh’s remark that such legislation was unconstitutional, saying that the DAP chairman was making a general statement.

He said there was no need to reject the proposal as it was only applicable to Muslims.

What was needed, said Anwar, was an in depth discussion among Pakatan Rakyat partners on contentious issues which had resurfaced following a debate between PAS vice-president Datuk Husam Musa and Umno Youth deputy head Khairy Jamaluddin.

“Hudud is not something new. There is allocation for it in Islam. This is what PAS has been saying all along, that it is solely for the Muslims,” he told reporters after launching the PKR main operation room for the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election yesterday.

According to Anwar, all opposition parties understood Islam and that its legislative aspects should not just be confined to Syariah family or civil law.

Describing himself as a practising Muslim, Anwar stressed there was no blanket answer on hudud and that he would not emulate what former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad did, which was to oppose and reject outright hudud law when PAS first proposed it without fully understanding the issue.

He said detailed discussions on the issue could clear the air.

He also urged all dissenting voices to study the specific proposal and its provisions closely before opening their mouths.

Anwar also hit out at the media for attacking PAS over the hudud proposal and conveniently forgetting that it was the government that had declared Malaysia an Islamic nation.

“I do not understand why the media is harping on it. It is a non-issue in this by-election. The bigger issues are the policies of Barisan in contrast to what Pakatan is trying to do. That should be the focus,” he said.

He also said the alliance between the opposition parties was developing into a compact front despite the media’s reports on rifts in their pact over certain governance and political policies.

“We are not Barisan Nasional where supposedly Umno dictates and others just follow. We practice democracy,” said Anwar.

Source: theStar.com.my 8th Jan 09
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This article worries me a little. Well I am a fan of change but to a certain extend le. Accepting "hudud" laws is one thing. But the way Anwar sit on the fence in his statements makes me wonder what are his motives. But I can semi understand that he needs to respect PAS too in their objective as it is their identity of formation. Here are a few things I get from his remarks.

1. He don't want to emulate Mahathir in totally neglecting these laws
2. He wants to protect PAS and DAP and stay as neutral as he can
3. He just open a can of worms in this line, "He said detailed discussions on the issue could clear the air"
4. That he actually ain't that sure what to say as his reasons are a bit weak

Well I will expect more of this in the future as PAS and DAP are like opposites. Also I wonder how many PKR members actually agree with this. Many join them to have a fair playing ground in the country for all races. And this remarks will get the PKR members thinking, "Do I really want hudud laws?"

No disrespect to others but I don't really welcome it. Yes it is only for Muslims but they are kind of extreme with some of the rules. I won't spare christianity on this one even if I am one myself. Because I don't agree with certain demoninations that disallow this and that. Same goes with these laws. You can't educate people like this. Moderation is the key I always say ;-) You can turn some ones good deeds towards you if you want to. Same goes with these laws. Close one day, get ready for another to open, good or bad? No one knows. Because one way or another we (humans) are going to find a way around it if you just block us out. We are curious in nature.

gLeNn