PKR not against hudud, just PAS’s bill, says Azmin
(The Malaysian Insider) – PKR is not against hudud, the party’s deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali said today, brushing off claims that the opposition party had opposed the Islamic law.
He said PKR had never said that it opposes hudud as God’s law was not to be disputed.
He said the party only disagreed with PAS’s method in pushing the bill which violated the principles of the Pakatan Rakyat when it tabled the amendments to the Kelantan Shariah Criminal Enactment 1993 recently.
“We (PKR) are not against the law of Allah. As Muslims, we cannot defy the laws of Allah as it has been stated in the Quran.
“But, the mechanism in which PAS has brought it about is disrespectful and against to the principles and spirits of Pakatan Rakyat…That was it,” he said.
PKR yesterday announced the party would not support PAS’s hudud bill should it table it in Parliament, saying the Islamist party acted unilaterally in the matter and gone against the Pakatan Rakyat leadership council’s decision.
The party added that it also opposed the bill due to the principles of Fiqh Al-Awlawiyyat (understanding priorities), Maslahat Ummah (public interest) and the Maqasid Shariah (higher objectives of shariah).
Asked if the PKR would vote against the motion when it was tabled in Parliament, Azmin declined to elaborate.
“We will wait. Yesterday, our president (Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail) had made a statement on behalf of the party. It is the position of the party. As for the bill, we will wait.” said Azmin.
At the same time, the Selangor menteri besar also denied allegations that PR coalition would split because of disagreements over the implementation of hudud in Kelantan.
“No, we are not going to split. We agree to disagree. There is no problem. I believe the wisdom of the leadership will fortify and strengthen Pakatan.
“Any differences in opinion, if any, we will discuss it for the best interest of the people. That is my hope.”
