PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim said that he personally supports Kelantan’s bid to implement hudud law because it will not infringe the rights of non-Muslims and that the administration of justice is guaranteed.

“For now, in general, in principle, I believe this can be implemented. Looking at the specific areas and there are clear guarantees on the administration of justice.

NONE“It does not in any way infringe on the rights of non-Muslims,” said Anwar (right), when met at the Kuala Lumpur court complex today.

Anwar stressed that his views on this were entirely his own and that Pakatan had not deliberated on this.

He was responding to former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad challenge to PAS-ruled Kelantan to implement hudud law.

The tit-for-tat between Mahathir and Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Aziz Nik Mat over hudud law began in June, when the former blamed DAP as the stumbling block for PAS’ Islamic ambitions.

Backlash expected

Mahathir had made the comments after the PAS party elections which saw a large number of so-called pro-Pakatan or progressive party leaders taking up key posts.

NONENik Aziz (left) retorted that Mahathir and not DAP chairperson Karpal Singh was the person responsible for using legal channels to block PAS’ bid to implement hudud in Kelantan.

The issue was reignited recently when former Perlis mufti Asri Zainul Abidin recently claimed that the situation in the state was not “conducive” enough.

Yesterday, Mahathir said that Nik Aziz should not blame him because he was no longer the prime minister and should approach Putrajaya now to clear any legal hurdles.

Anwar’s comments on the debate is likely to add strain to the Pakatan coalition, which includes secularists party DAP, as a snap general election looms.

DAP is often attacked by traditional rivals MCA who accused the former as the stepping stone for PAS to introduce a theocratic state.


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