MIC slams PAS over hudud laws issue
Published: Dec 23, 2008 5:23 AM | Updated: Dec 23, 2008 6:15 AM
MIC president S Samy Vellu today expressed regret with the statements made by PAS leaders regarding the implementation of Islamic hudud laws if the opposition comes into power.
MIC president S Samy Vellu today expressed regret with the statements made by PAS leaders regarding the implementation of Islamic hudud laws if the opposition comes into power.
Describing it as 'irresponsible', the veteran politician lambasted the Islamic party for not taking into account the rights and sensitivities of non-Muslims in the country.
"MIC strongly objects the implementation of hudud laws on Malaysians who consist of many races. We feel there is an agenda behind the statements made by PAS leaders who often make conflicting statements regarding this issue," he said in a statement.
"Although they say the implementation of hudud laws has been deferred but the fact remains that they (PAS) has the intention to implement hudud laws one day," he added.
This, he said, can be seen from the statement made by PAS vice-president Husam Musa that PAS has not forgotten the basis of its struggle, which is to establish an Islamic governance in this country, including implementing hudud laws.
"His statement is a matter of grave concern and will not be accepted in a multiracial country like Malaysia. We are much concerned about such statements and urge PAS and its allies in the opposition to re-examine their stand
"I hope PAS does not use this issue (hudud laws) as a political tool to campaign in the upcoming Kuala Terengganu by-election," said Samy Vellu.
'Same old story'
The statements by PAS leaders have not only drawn criticism from Barisan Nasional parties but also DAP, an ally in the opposition alliance Pakatan Rakyat.
Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak slammed the opposition party for always raising the hudud laws issue whenever an election is around the corner.
"This is an old story, it is nothing new. They have not implemented hudud laws in Kelantan and Terengganu but at every election, they raise it as an issue," the Umno deputy president was quoted as saying in news reports.
Meanwhile, Penang Chief Minister and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng expressed surprise with the statement made by the PAS vice-president.
"I am also unsure if the news report is correct. If it is true then I will contact (Opposition Leader) Anwar Ibrahim for clarification," he said.
Lim stressed that DAP has never agreed to the implementation of hudud laws or the formation of an Islamic state.
DAP chairperson Karpal Singh warned PAS not to sacrifice the unity in Pakatan Rakyat on the altar of political expediency.
"The time has come for PAS to discard myopic political considerations and try to appreciate the larger political landscape which is a necessity for the continued existence of Pakatan Rakyat," he said.
The Kuala Terengganu by-election will take place on Jan 17. It will witness a fight between BN’s Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh and a PAS candidate who has yet to be announced.
Describing it as 'irresponsible', the veteran politician lambasted the Islamic party for not taking into account the rights and sensitivities of non-Muslims in the country.
"MIC strongly objects the implementation of hudud laws on Malaysians who consist of many races. We feel there is an agenda behind the statements made by PAS leaders who often make conflicting statements regarding this issue," he said in a statement."Although they say the implementation of hudud laws has been deferred but the fact remains that they (PAS) has the intention to implement hudud laws one day," he added.
This, he said, can be seen from the statement made by PAS vice-president Husam Musa that PAS has not forgotten the basis of its struggle, which is to establish an Islamic governance in this country, including implementing hudud laws.
"His statement is a matter of grave concern and will not be accepted in a multiracial country like Malaysia. We are much concerned about such statements and urge PAS and its allies in the opposition to re-examine their stand
"I hope PAS does not use this issue (hudud laws) as a political tool to campaign in the upcoming Kuala Terengganu by-election," said Samy Vellu.
'Same old story'
The statements by PAS leaders have not only drawn criticism from Barisan Nasional parties but also DAP, an ally in the opposition alliance Pakatan Rakyat.
Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak slammed the opposition party for always raising the hudud laws issue whenever an election is around the corner."This is an old story, it is nothing new. They have not implemented hudud laws in Kelantan and Terengganu but at every election, they raise it as an issue," the Umno deputy president was quoted as saying in news reports.
Meanwhile, Penang Chief Minister and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng expressed surprise with the statement made by the PAS vice-president.
"I am also unsure if the news report is correct. If it is true then I will contact (Opposition Leader) Anwar Ibrahim for clarification," he said.
Lim stressed that DAP has never agreed to the implementation of hudud laws or the formation of an Islamic state.
DAP chairperson Karpal Singh warned PAS not to sacrifice the unity in Pakatan Rakyat on the altar of political expediency.
"The time has come for PAS to discard myopic political considerations and try to appreciate the larger political landscape which is a necessity for the continued existence of Pakatan Rakyat," he said.
The Kuala Terengganu by-election will take place on Jan 17. It will witness a fight between BN’s Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh and a PAS candidate who has yet to be announced.
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