Watch out, don’t insult hudud, Umno warns BN parties
(Malaysian Times) – Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican has cautioned Gerakan and other Barisan Nasional (BN) partners to not make remarks excessively over the hudud issue.
“Don’t overstep or take lightly the boundaries on giving comments on hudud, which at the same time can be insulting to Islam.
“As leaders, we have to be sensitive with many issues. If this basis of cooperation cannot be understood by a component party, then we have a difficult road ahead,” said Reezal in a statement today.
Particularly, Reezal condemned Gerakan Wanita Chief Datuk Tan Lian Hoe for claiming that the implementation of hudud is retrograde and will victimise women.
Tan had said that: “Women are not accepted as witness and women are also most likely to be persecuted for slander or adultery if they are not able to prove rape as proven in countries with Hudud implemented such as Pakistan, where hundreds of women in jail on charges of Hudud offences.
“This number is rapidly increasing and there is even a new jail in Larkana especially built for women.
“In most cases of rape, women on account of being pregnant will immediately be charged for adultery and it is almost impossible to charge the male rapist because of the requirement of four male Muslim witnesses under Hudud,” she said.
In response to Tan’s remark over hudud, Reezal said, “As an example, this is a harsh statement and not backed by facts. Hudud must be seen in a holistic manner and not through its punishment alone.”
“Tan Lian Hoe and other BN component leaders must be aware that extreme comments about hudud may only cause anger among Muslims as a whole,” he warned.
Reezal stressed that BN parties should stop making comments over hudud without knowing the facts and let the experts to make the decision on whether the law should be implemented or otherwise.
PAS is adamant to move a Private Member’s Bill at the Dewan Rakyat next month to pave the way for hudud to be implemented in Kelantan.
However, the proposal has been strongly opposed by DAP, which is PAS’ ally in Pakatan Rakyat, and parties in BN including MCA, MIC, Gerakan, Sarawak United Peoples Party (SUPP), Sabah-based Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko).
