Karpal: Anwar's statement on hudud misleading

PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim’s statement that people should not worry about PAS’ intention to implement hudud laws as it would only be applicable to Muslims, was today called a fallacy by DAP stalwart Karpal Singh.

He said this was because Anwar’s statement was "diametrically opposed to PAS’ avowed aim to turn Malaysia into an Islamic state" which Karpal believes would also mean the indiscriminate implementation of hudud laws.

"This has been PAS’ stand from its inception as is clearly reflected by the statements by former and present leaders of PAS.

"In fact, (PAS spiritual leader) Nik Aziz is on record to have said on Dec 22 last year that PAS would implement hudud laws with or without the support of DAP and PKR," said Karpal in a statement today.

Both News Straits Times and The Star on Dec 23 reported on Nik Aziz’ persistence that his party would pursue the implementation of hudud laws even without the support of its other Pakatan Rakyat coalition members.

He was also quoted as saying that he could not understand why DAP was rejecting hudud laws when he believed they were similar to western laws.

"In light of this statement, there is a fallacy in Anwar’s assertion that hudud laws would only be applicable to Muslims," Karpal reasoned.

"The pre-requisite of implementing hudud laws is the setting up of an Islamic state and as such, it is wrong for Anwar to imply that the implementation of hudud laws would not affect everyone including the non-Muslims.

"It is important for Anwar to know exactly what PAS intends to do in calling for the setting up of an Islamic state," Karpal added.

DAP and PAS have long been at logger heads over the Islamic state issue. PAS believes that the country should be an Islamic one given its Muslim majority, while DAP believes that the best system for the country is secularism, in light of the plural nature of the country.

The matter has also threatened the frail unity of the Pakatan alliance, with PKR often acting as the neutral mediator struggling to keep the opposition alliance united.

Meanwhile, Karpal said PAS president Hadi Awang should clear the air as to whether hudud laws were intended to be made applicable to both Muslims and non-Muslims in the event PAS succeeded in setting up an Islamic state.

"In the public interest, he should do so," said the veteran DAP leader.

Nevertheless, Karpal reiterated DAP’s stand that the country is not an Islamic state and that the implementation of hudud laws would be "unconstitutional".