PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang would probably go down in history as one of the greatest dividers of this nation, not just between the Muslims and non-Muslims, but also among the Muslims. I am not lamenting the Act 355 amendments would lead to hudud, I am just asking why the need for Act 355 amendments to begin with.

We should never forget; Hadi is a politician first and last. His struggle is just like any other politician - for political power and the opportunity to govern this country. Yet many of us have looked at him in a different light - a great champion of religion, social order, and law and punishment.

But he is no expert in this. He has no knowledge, experience and evidence to back him up. He is no criminologist or sociologist. The world today has no empirical evidence to suggest that the nature and the level of crimes are based on certain forms of punishments. This is pure obstinacy based on his ‘holier than thou’ and parochial attitude.

When are we going to grow up? Why talk about law, fairness and justice in the vacuum or in great religious traditions or in ideal states? Wisdom, fairness and justice from any religion are pleasing to hear, but hardly accomplished in practice.

We know God is not here to administer law and deliver justice for each of us. Which part did Hadi not understand if I say God’s laws are always administered by humans and humans are defiled? Hence, there are bound to have abuses, bigotry and prejudice.

Because of this, since the beginning of time, we humans have always sat down to design and improve a criminal system that minimises abuse, arbitrariness and injustice, not by assuming that if we implement certain laws purportedly under certain religion, everything will be hunky-dory. That is unthinking and unwise.

I think the nation can no longer waste more time on his idiosyncrasy. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. He should stop hoodwinking ignorant Malaysians.

What he proposes must be backed up by empirical proof. He can choose any country in the world - from those with high crimes and social disorder to those with low crimes and social order. He can look at the criminal systems of each of these countries. He can then tell us how his Act 355 amendments fit in. Otherwise, he should rest his case.

I still believe this country is made up of people with education, knowledge and the ability to think and rationalise. The Muslims and non-Muslims here are not a bunch of nomads in caravans. Unless he is able put forth his proposal more objectively, empirically, and rationally, I urge all MPs to dump this polemics for good.