DAP resolves to reject hudud, insists not part of Pakatan framework
(Malay Mail Online) – The DAP unanimously resolved today to state its objection to the implementation of hudud laws anywhere in the country, saying it has never been a part of Pakatan Rakyat’s (PR) common policy framework.
In eight of the 32 resolutions adopted by the DAP’s national conference here, party delegates agreed that PR should instead focus on its agreed common platform, which is enshrined in the pact’s election manifesto – Buku Jingga – and the Shah Alam Declaration, which focuses on economic well-being and democratisation.
“DAP stands firm on the long-achieved agreement between the Pakatan Rakyat parties that hudud will not be implemented in administrative or the legal framework of Pakatan led states or the federal government,” the resolution said.
Cracks began showing within the federal opposition pact when PAS announced in April that it would seek the support of Muslims MPs to amend the Federal Constitution to invoke the 1993 Kelantan Syariah Criminal Code Enactment II, which would then pave the way for hudud to be implemented in the PAS-led state.
Stressing on the importance of consensus on the matter earlier today, DAP’s acting national chairman Tan Kok Wai advised PR component parties to refrain from pushing their “private agendas”, hudud being one, in order to present a united front.
Tan had said that controversies is being used by PR’s political rivals to disrupt the pact’s working relationship and unending debate is antagonising its partners.
In his speech, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng also said that PR must resolve its differences on hudud if the pact wants to woo fence sitters in the next general election.
DAP had previously claimed that PAS’s insistence of hudud contributed to the dip in non-Malay votes, which consecutively resulted in DAP’s failure in retaining the Teluk Intan parliamentary constituency in a by-election in May.
During today’s convention, some party delegates claimed PR’s non-Muslim electorate felt they were misled over the past two general elections into supporting PAS, due to repeated claims by PR leaders that hudud was not part of the pact’s agenda.
But despite the unyielding resistance from its PR partners, PAS has continued to refuse to back down from its plans in Kelantan, even pointing out that it does not need its allies’ nod to roll out hudud as it does not affect non-Muslims.
The Islamic penal code covers crimes such as theft, robbery, adultery, rape and sodomy.
Punishments for the crimes are severe, including amputation, flogging and death by stoning.
Opponents, however, argue that hudud cannot be carried out in Malaysia as Islamic law is applicable only on Muslims and if enforced, would run counter to other fundamental provisions in the constitution, namely Article 8, which prescribes equality before the law for all, regardless of their religious beliefs.
