Non-Muslims can choose to follow hudud in Kelantan, deputy MB says

(MM) – Kelantan plans to implement an “open” concept of the hudud law in the state, which offers non-Muslims there a choice to live by the controversial Islamic penal code or not to, state deputy mentri besar Datuk Nik Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah said.

Amar told Malay daily Sinar Harian yesterday that the state will not copy the practice of hudud in other countries but will draw up its own concept, which is in accordance with the true principles of Islam.

“The hudud law has two differing views — that it should imposed to include both Muslims and non-Muslims or that it should only be followed by the Muslims.

“Therefore, we will implement this in the open,” he was quoted as saying.

He added that the state government is currently preparing two private members bills that it will bring to Parliament soon, hoping to remove all obstacles to its implementation of the hudud law by 2015.

This, he said, is provided for under Article 76(A) of the Federal Constitution.

In Islamic jurisprudence, hudud covers crimes such as theft, robbery, adultery, rape, sodomy, making unproven accusations of adultery, causing physical hurt, drinking intoxicants, apostasy, and acts contrary to Islamic belief.

Shariah law is generally confined to Muslims, but can extend to non-Muslims if they are involved in aiding or abetting an offence committed by a Muslim.

Last month, Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob said he is determined to implement controversial hudud laws in the state even if it means he loses his post as chief minister.

“I am willing to meet the prime minister (again) to discuss this issue, even though I lose as long as it can be carried out, I am not afraid, we really want to implement it,” he was quoted saying by Sinar Harian in his winding-up speech at the Kelantan state assembly.

Ahmad also reportedly said he had met with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak last November to discuss the implementation of hudud in Kelantan, adding that the state is working with the federal government to overcome obstacles blocking the controversial laws from taking effect.

The paper quoted Kelantan lawmaker Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan as saying that the Federal Constitution could override state legislation if there are legal roadblocks to implementing hudud.

“Besides that, the laws in this country are not helping Kelantan, if there is a clash of federal laws and state laws, then the federal law will be used, we are not taught to break the law,” he was quoted as saying.

In 1993, the PAS-led state government passed the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Code Enactment II, but the strict Islamic penal code has not been enforced for the past decade.

Last November, PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said at the party’s annual congress that PAS would go ahead with implementing hudud laws in Kelantan, irrespective of whether its Pakatan Rakyat (PR) ally, the DAP, agreed to it or not.

But DAP chairman Karpal Singh has always said that DAP was firm in its stand that hudud law should not be implemented and that Malaysia should not be turned into an Islamic state.