Hudud a dream, says Seng Giaw
DAP vice-chairman criticises politicians for continuing to raise issue ‘despite futulity of it’
(The Malay Mail) – PAS’s vision of implementing hudud is as good as building castles in the air.
DAP national vice-chairman Dr Tan Seng Giaw said the notion of implementing hudud law in Malaysia was “pure politics, nothing else”.
“In order to implement it, you need a two-thirds majority in Parliament and then only can the Constitution be amended,” he told reporters after addressing a crowd at Kepong Baru from the party’s new election campaigning vehicle, the “Dream Machine”.
“Are you sure you can get the two-thirds majority? I say, dream on.”
Tan said all religions, including Islam, did not espouse their followers to force their beliefs upon other people, and the matter of institutionalising Islamic law should be treated as such.
He criticised politicians for continuously raising the matter despite the futility of it.
“You know it cannot be done, why talk about it?” he said.
PAS had previously called for the implementation of hudud law, and the Opposition’s victory in several states after the 2008 general election had only served to bolster its claims.
However, several key leaders within DAP have opposed the idea.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak had said implementing hudud law was not feasible in a multi-ethnic country like Malaysia but had yet to reveal Umno’s stand on the issue.
On another matter, DAP is planning to increase the number of vehicles to be used for campaigning in the lead up to the elections.
Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai, who was present at the event, said DAP had one 22-wheeler truck, called the “Dream Machine”, that will be used for campaigning. However, to meet popular demand, the party is planning to use another two 22-wheeler trucks for campaigning.
“We have received too many requests from people for us to make more visits to their constituencies,” he said.
Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng and Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun were also present at the event.
Lim said the “Dream Machine” will spend at least a day in each state.
