I refer to the Malaysiakini report Pakatan plays down DAP leader’s threat.

To many a reader, Karpal’s threat to leave the Pakatan Rakyat coalition may appear as an empty threat. Karpal is a very principled and seasoned politician who would not mince words when he speaks on issues. He, like millions of other Malaysians, have every reason to be concerned with PAS’ proposed move to introduce hudud laws in multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-cultural Malaysia that was born on the foundation of secularism and pluralism.

His outcry is not only about hudud laws as is practiced in Saudi Arabia and other Muslim countries but that the very sanctity of our secular constitution is questioned by PAS in its frequent rhetoric to introduce hudud laws.

For all intents and purposes, this beloved nation of ours is a secular state and that should not be challenged by anyone. Islam is the official religion of the land and all other religions have a right to exist under the Malaysian sun and this is concretely enshrined in the federal constitution.

At every general election and by-election, PAS is fond of raising issues of a religious nature such as the recent rhetoric demanding hudud laws that is highly-politicised. What does this rhetoric ever create? It creates fear, hate, suspicion, mistrust, disharmony and polarisation among the rakyat.

In addition, it spreads negative gossip and rumours, creates political uncertainty and a host of other ill feelings and fears that would destroy this nation. Therefore, religion should not be politicised for the whims and fancies of the politicians and political parties.

Religion is not a political game, toy or an instrument to be played with but should be given the highest level of respect.

It has been pointed out before that non-Muslims who do not adhere to sharia laws have a second-class status under three categories: dhimmi (permanent residents who pay a jizyah or poll tax in exchange for protection), hudna (those who sign a treaty after being defeated) and musta’min (those who are not obliged to pay the jizyah tax but are urged to convert to Islam).

I am seriously concerned about what PAS is planning. Does PAS has a long-term plan and strategy to force non-Muslims into the corner and force them to pay poll tax for protection, sign a treaty or convert to Islam should Malaysia become an Islamic state based on Sharia laws?

For a non-Muslim like me, it is frightening to even imagine a scene in which Malaysia heads in the direction propagated by PAS for it would certainly lead to political and religious conflicts and clashes as we witness in some Middle-East and African countries.

More than forty percent of the Malaysian population is non-Muslim and it would be detrimental and dangerous to play the race and religion card at every election or by-election.

Therefore, Karpal has every right to be seriously concerned about the detrimental and dangerous consequences and effects should PAS succeed in introducing hudud law in plural and secular Malaysia.

He clearly visualises the dangers ahead should PAS, or even for that matter the BN government, ever succeed in introducing Sharia and hudud laws that apply to the entire nation.

The BN government could do a great service to this beloved nation if they promulgate laws to prohibit religion from being used as ‘campaign material’ during elections.

I am sure that even many opposition MPs would support such an initiative should the government take up the challenge of introducing such a law. Would BN, which is pushed into the corner on Islamic issues by PAS rhetoric, take up the challenge of introducing such a law?