Hudud law leading country into dangerous path of religious rule

With Kelantan Sultan's words hoping that the private member's bill to be tabled in the Parliament will get support of all parties, the attempt of Kelantan state government to implement hudud law is no longer a political game to scare people, but a fact that might become true at anytime.

Unless if there is a last minute change, or PAS will proceed with its plan to table bills bringing far-reaching impacts on the country and its people in the Kelantan legislative assembly and Parliament.

Firstly, PAS will present a bill in the Kelantan legislative assembly today proposing amendments to the state's hudud laws. The bill must be supported by two-thirds of state assembly members to pass. There are 45 state assembly members in Kelantan legislative assembly and 32 of them are from PAS (Chempaka seat is currently vacant), and the number has actually exceeded two-thirds. As for the remaining 13 members, 12 are from Umno and one is from the PKR. With such a member structure, it needs three PAS members to vote against the bill to stop it from passing, while the 12 Umno members and PKR member must also vote against it. However, Kelantan Umno Secretary Datuk Md Alwi Che Ahmad, who is also Kok Lanas assemblyman, has made it clear that Umno will support the bill. Therefore, it is not realistic to rely on Umno members to stop the bill from passing in the state legislative assembly.

After the bill is passed, it can be expected that PAS will then table a private member's bill in Dewan Rakyat, based on Article 76(a) of the Federal Constitution, to seek amendments to the exercise right of Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (Act 355). The private member's bill can be passed with only a simple majority, namely the support of half of the total Members of Parliament (MPs). Among the 222 MPs, 127 are Muslims and the number has exceeded half. If these MPs choose religious stand and vote for the bill, the bill can then be passed in Dewan Rakyat. Once it is passed, it means that PAS has eliminated the last obstacle to implement hudud law in Kelantan.

Regardless of how PAS justifies its attempt to implement hudud law in Kelantan, it can never cover the fact that hudud law will affect the life of non-Muslims and even change the fate of the whole country. Our concern is, once the gap is opened, other states might follow suit, gradually leading the country towards the dangerous path of religious rule.

Given the seriousness of the situation which could bring dire consequences, the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (FCAM) and its affiliates from Chinese Assembly Halls in the state level have jointly issued a statement the day before yesterday, expressing their strong opposition against the implementation of hudud law in Kelantan. The statement has timely reflected the consensus of the Chinese nationwide, while expressing the worries and fear of Chinese community. However, it is sad that at this critical moment, the DAP and MCA are still busy disputing and accusing each other outside the state legislative assembly. As for how to stop the implementation of hudud law, both can do nothing but just helplessly watch how PAS and Umno perform the show.

Hudud law controversy Opinion, Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE
Sin Chew Daily