Chinese groups reject PAS' hudud agenda

A group of Chinese NGOs have expressed disagreement with the plan to implement hudud law in Kelantan and PAS' intention to submit a Private Member's Bill in Parliament.

In a joint statement today, the 22 NGOs said the federal constitution clearly states that Malaysia is a secular nation and this was reiterated by the Supreme Court in 1988.

"We urge PAS leaders to be more sensitive to the opinions and rights of the non-Muslim community in this country.

"The proposed submission of the hudud Bill will have grave impact on the historical social contract and democratic constitutionalism.

"We strongly call upon PAS to withdraw the bill and respect multiculturalism and multi-faith ethnic groups of Malaysia," they added.

Although hudud law would only apply to Muslims, the NGOs said, it would still create much complication and undesirable effects on non-Muslim communities especially at the implementation level.

"The incident of a Chinese female hairdresser who is a non-Muslim in Kota Baru whereby the municipal council issued a summons against her for styling a man's hair is one of many cases," they added.

The NGOs also expressed regret that PAS has turned its back on its election promise to establish a "welfare state" instead of an "Islamic state".

"We categorically stress that the introduction and implementation of Islamic state or hudud jurisdiction is a change of the national system which will greatly affect every ethnic group.

"Such a move should be widely discussed openly with every stakeholder in the country and not manipulated by one single political party," they added.

The NGOs, which inked the statement issued by the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, are:

1.  Negeri Sembilan Chinese Assembly Hall
2.  Japan Graduates' Association of Malaysia
3.  LLG Cultural Development Centre
4.  Eight Major Chinese Youth-based Organisations
5.  Malaysia Christian Youth Association
6.  Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia
7.  Young Malaysians Movement
8.  Pertubuhan Gerakan Belia Bersatu Malaysia
9.  Persatuan Graduan Muda Malaysia
10. Persatuan Belia Xiang Lian Malaysia
11. Junior Chamber International Kuala Lumpur Mandarin
12. Persatuan Usahawan Maju Malaysia (PUMM)
13. Committee of National Clan-based Youth Federations of Malaysia
14. Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce
15. The Federation Of Hainan Association Malaysia
16. Alumni Cheng Kung University of Taiwan in Malaysia
17. Malaysian Chinese Language Council
18. Penang Chinese Town Hall
19. The Federation of Alumni Associations of Taiwan Universities, Malaysia
20. United Chinese School Teachers Association of Malaysia
21. Persekutuan Persatuan-Persatuan Alumni Sekolah China Malaysia
22. Dong Zong

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