PAS members firm on hudud
(The Star) – The pent-up frustration of the PAS grassroots over its testy relationship with Pakatan Rakyat partners has come out in the open.
The Dewan Ulama reaffirmed its hudud agenda while hitting out at leaders who “confuse” members.
Dewan chief Datuk Harun Taib declared that PAS would be steadfast on its plans to implement hudud law despite the barrage of contrary views from outside the party.
He said the dewan had the role of addressing the confusion among new members who were made to believe that hudud was not a matter to be discussed because of the pact with Pakatan partners.
“Some are confused, thinking that the time is not right to implement hudud because Malaysia is a multi-racial country.
“This is happening because members fail to understand the party’starbiyah (nurturing and strengthening) effort,” Harun said when opening the Dewan Ulama general assembly here yesterday. His speech was read out by dewan vice-chief Dr Mahfudz Mohamad.
Harun said the championing of hudud was part of the party’s Islamic agenda to make it the law of the land.
“Major crimes like theft, robbery, illicit sex and apotasy are serious problems affecting the people. hudud must be implemented to solve them,” he added.
Later, at a press conference, Harun reiterated that PAS would push for hudud to be implemented if it was given the mandate to rule the country.
According to him, Pakatan had agreed that not only hudud but also Syariah law would be implemented if PAS had the majority in Parliament.
Harun said DAP chairman Karpal Singh was against hudud because of his failure to attend dialogues organised by PAS.
On press reports that Perak Mufti Datuk Seri Harussani Zakaria had asked PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar to repent for her freedom of religion remarks, Harun said that Harussani himself should repent for not supporting the Islamic struggle.
The Youth wing also pushed for hudud while pledging support for the ulama leadership and asking PAS to take the lead in Pakatan.
Negri Sembilan delegate Mohd Zulkarnain Mohd Zaki rapped the Youth leadership for not setting policies on entertainment, sports, jobs and the economy for PKR and DAP to follow.
Johor delegate Mohd Faizal Khalid criticised the Youth leadership for failing to speak up against Pakatan leaders “who have erred”.
“The wing is supposed to be a pressure group pushing for change but we do not hear any criticism from them against Pakatan governments,” he said when debating the keynote address of Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan at the 53rd Youth Muktamar yesterday.
Penang delegate Hasbul Wizar said PAS should be the dominant party in Pakatan.
Selangor delegate Sharhan Humaizi Halim said that Pakatan-controlled states should be administered according to the Islamic model.
Pahang delegate Fadli Ibrahim said the ulama leadership should be maintained because “they were instrumental in ensuring great victory in the last general election”.
He said that “germs, snakes and poisons” should be eliminated from the party.
