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Hudud push in PAS-led states

 
 

PETALING JAYA: PAS will push for the implementation of hudud law in states where it has been given the mandate to rule, said the party'sulama chief Datuk Harun Taib.

He said the party should be able to implement hudud when given the mandate as it is in line with the principles of democracy.

"We go by the concept of majority support and majority rule that is enshrined in democratic principles," he added.

Harun said this in support of the party's spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat's comment on his blog that the implementation of hudud should not be delayed as it was a religious obligation and not an option.

The Kelantan technical committee, formed to discuss the implementation of the law in the state, is convening its second meeting soon to discuss the matter.

"We will discuss the terms of reference as well as proposed action and follow-ups," said committee deputy chairman Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah.

Mohd Amar said although Kelantan had passed the enactment 19 years ago, the state government had not been able to implement it due to objections from the Federal Government.

He added that the move to implement hudud had received support from former International Islamic University lecturer Dr Abdul Aziz Bari, who commented that the Constitution need not be amended in order to implement hudud.

Instead, hudud law could be placed within the jurisdiction of syariah courts.

Former PAS deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa said there should not be a delay just because the public was ignorant of the law.

"It's not logical to wait for the public to understand a certain law before implementing it," he said, adding that until today, many of the public do not have full knowledge of the country's laws.

However, DAP chairman Karpal Singh criticised Nik Aziz's statement.

"The statement is devoid of any legal basis or rationality," he said, adding that Nik Aziz should not ignore the legitimate expectation of the public that all laws passed in Parliament must be reasonable.

"Parliament cannot recognise laws passed by the state assemblies which contravene the Federal Constitution," he added.

Karpal said non-Muslims were concerned over PAS leaders' consistent push for hudud.