(MM) - The hudud issue is proving to be a sore point in Pakatan Rakyat and the silence of key leaders in the alliance on the matter, instead of appeasing certain quarters, is making things worse.
To date, the only clear objection comes from DAP national chairman Karpal Singh, who has called on Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim Many have described PR as a loose coalition and this lack of consensus clearly reflects it.
The PKR has shied away from making a stand for fear it would either upset PAS, or drive away votes from staunch hudud believers.
Either way, the curtains are fast drawing and pressure is mounting for a clear and united stand on the issue — either oppose it or agree to implement it.
If PR is to call itself a coalition, then this clearly serves as a litmus test on party unity. Observers say it would reflect on the overall character of the alliance if it cannot make a stand on an issue like this.
Each day, more PAS leaders are coming forward and voicing their support for the implementation of hudud with the latest call coming from PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali.
Looks like PKR is trapped between both PAS and the DAP — say yes to hudud and lose support from DAP, reject hudud and lose PAS and the Malay support altogether.
Having found himself in such limbo, it is no surprise why Anwar has opted to keep his mouth shut till now. However, the pressure is mounting and many believe that sooner or later, the de facto leader will have to make a stand.
At a recent event in Saratok, Sarawak, journalists pushed Anwar for an answer and the best he could deliver was that they would discuss the matter and come to a consensus.
However, such a reply may not augur well with the non-Muslims in the country who fear the implementation of hudud law should the Opposition ever come to power.
This avoidance by Anwar clearly shows there is no understanding or co-operation between the tripartite coalition.
The root problem here is that from the very start, Anwar was too embroiled in his own political agenda that he failed to establish a common policy on political governance to be administered in all PR ruled states.
In the past, when the BN made numerous calls for Anwar to make a stand, he simply deflected the issue, but now, calls from within the PR itself are mounting and unless there is a stand, hudud may well be the downfall of the PR coalition.
Anwar has to date skillfully avoided the issue, but the time has come when he can no longer downplay hudud by ignoring it.
As it is now, hudud looks set to stay and haunt the PR as the defining and dividing issue which is going to tear the PR apart.
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