Make hudud pledge, PR told

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 18, 2012): Pakatan Rakyat (PR) should be fair to the people and include its plans to implement hudud in its election manifesto if it is committed to passing the Islamic law, said MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.

"If they are serious about it they should let the people decide and vote for this; not take over Putrajaya and then only argue about it," he said at a press conference in his office yesterday.

He was responding to PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat's statement in his blog posting dated Aug 24 which stated that the implementation of hudud should not be delayed, as its enforcement as part of the syariah legislation is an obligation, not an option.

PR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had reportedly dismissed the matter as being a non-issue as the implementation of hudud is not part of the coalition's Buku Jingga manifesto or common policy framework.
Chua said Muslim lawmakers are obliged to support the implementation of hudud, citing the amendment of the Terengganu state constitution in 1999 by the PAS administration, with support from Umno.

"The political reality is that two-thirds (of representatives) in parliament are going to be Muslims, and they will have to support the implementation of hudud as part of their duty to the religion," he said.

Reminded about DAP national chairman Karpal Singh's stand against the implementation of hudud, Chua said he is "the only voice in DAP to object it".

He also said the hudud law as promoted by PAS only places emphasis on punishment and prohibition, when the teachings of Islam is more about education and enlightenment.

"I believe that Islam also teaches us forgiveness and enlightenment, that is why Umno also objects to PAS's version of the hudud law," he said.

Chua claimed that the implementation of hudud will cause the market to plummet by 500 points as loans will be recalled.

He also alleged that some businesses will be affected and cited a call by PAS Pahang chief Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man to shut down Genting Highlands as an example.

He also said that out of 11 nations practising hudud laws right now, eight are failed states where it is unsafe and corruption is rife.

He named Iran, Iraq, Somalia, Sudan, Pakistan, Nigeria, Afghanistan and Yemen as nations where the implementation of hudud had failed.

http://www.thesundaily.my/news/493736