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'Enforcing hudud the only way to curb crime'

ADAMANT: Penang Pas Youth leader insists implementation is now necessary

KUALA LUMPUR: A PAS Youth leader has insisted that implementing hudud is the only way to solve crime-related problems in this country.

"Enacting hudud is the only way to curb crime and other social ills," said Penang Pas Youth chief Mohd Yusni Mat Piah.

He said apart from being a religious obligation on Muslims, implementing hudud was now necessary to combat what he claimed to be "widespread incidence of violent crime".

"Even here in Penang, I've seen so many cases of assault and robbery. It's getting out of hand -- Muslims have no choice but to implement hudud."

Hudud is a term used in syariah to describe the class of punishment, usually corporal in nature, for certain crimes such as theft, fornication, adultery, apostasy and the consumption of alcohol and other intoxicants.

In recent weeks, Pas leaders have repeatedly reiterated their stance that setting up an Islamic state and enforcing hudud was the party's religious obligation and, therefore, non-negotiable.

The statements have come under fire from Pas' Pakatan Rakyat allies in Parti Keadilan Rakyat and DAP, who claim that the hudud issue was not part of the alliance's joint policy.

Yusni said the Kelantan state government should be allowed to implement hudud, in line with religious obligations as well as what he described as "the wishes of the people".

"We live in a democracy. The Kelantan government was voted in by the people of Kelantan, which means the people themselves have the desire to see hudud implemented."

Meanwhile, Puchong Pas information chief Omar Mohamed said the position of hudud in Islam could not be questioned.

"A Muslim who becomes the leader of a state or a country is obliged to enact and enforce hudud for all Muslims."

He said, however, implementing hudud nationwide could only happen if Pas won a majority in the next general election.

"If not, we'll have to adjust according to the situation. But even when our priorities change, our struggle to enforce hudud is continuous.

"It's not a political agenda, but an obligation we must carry out."