Umno’s hudud support in Kelantan not proof of ‘unity government’, PAS tells DAP

(Malay Mail Online) – PAS downplayed Umno’s possible support of the its hudud amendment bill in Kelantan ahead of the tabling tomorrow, saying it is not proof of a “unity government” between the Islamist party and Barisan Nasional (BN).

Instead, PAS information chief Datuk Mahfuz Omar warned DAP to respect the process of democracy and to put the interests of the public above partisan politics in the tabling of the controversial Islamic penal code.

“The issue of unity government does not arise if there is Umno state assemblymen who support the enactment amendment because that is the right of an assemblyman to support and reject something,” Mahfuz said in a statement.

Mahfuz claimed that Pakatan Rakyat (PR) MPs can also support any motion and amendment tabled by the government in Parliament, and it would not be seen as them forming a unity government with BN.

“Mature politics is to put the interests of the public at the front, and no unending partisan politics divides.”

The Kelantan state government reportedly plans to table amendments to the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Code Enactment II 1993 at the state legislative assembly tomorrow.

Details of the proposed amendments, however, have not been made public nor did the PAS-led state administration share copies of the bill with their PR partners until this week.

Both PKR and DAP are opposed to ally PAS’ bid to enforce hudud in Kelantan, which has instead found support from rival Umno.