Stay out of Islamic affairs, Hadi tells DAP, PKR after hudud challenge

(Malay Mail Online) – DAP and PKR should stay out of Islamic affairs and not interfere in PAS’s bid to enforce hudud in Kelantan, the Islamist party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said.

Following fierce opposition from its allies against the strict Islamic penal code, Hadi pointed out that the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) pact does not touch on religious matters.

“Our cooperation in the opposition pact is a cooperation that doesn’t involve party policy. Doesn’t involve halal and haram for Muslims. Just like how we don’t touch issues on their religion, that is their right, (and) they also don’t have to touch on our religious matters.

“The Constitution itself gives Islam space as the Federation’s religion, other religions are free. If other religions are free, why is Islam not free?” he was quoted saying by local daily Berita Harian.

In a separate news report by New Straits Times, Hadi was quoted saying that PAS’s push for hudud was a move that was constitutional as it upholds Islam as the religion of the federation.

“We have learned to accept and respect other religions. If we can accept other religions, why can’t Muslims respect Islam?”he asked.

“We will not force non-Muslims to embrace Islam when we introduce hudud in Kelantan,” he was also quoted saying.

When asked about possibilities of DAP and PKR quitting the federal opposition, Hadi reportedly said that it “has not happened yet”.

In another Berita Harian report today, Kelantan PAS deputy chief Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah said that no one has the powers to push PAS out of Pakatan Rakyat.

“Why should we be afraid of them because what PAS did is the party’s true struggle. So we don’t have to bow to them because PAS has never done anything wrong.

“If DAP in this Monday’s meeting decides to leave, that is their right and has nothing to do with PAS. Whatever it is, we will stay here,” he was quoted saying.

Kelantan, administered by Islamist party PAS, passed amendments to the Shariah Criminal Code II 1993 on Thursday in a bid to enforce hudud law in the state ― despite fierce opposition from its PR allies, the DAP and PKR.

PAS is expected to table private members’ bills in Parliament to remove legal roadblocks in the implementation of the Islamic penal code that punishes apostasy with the death penalty and theft with amputation of limbs.