Hudud still part of GHB’s agenda, says member

Khalid said the new opposition alliance would deal with the issue of hudud “when the time comes”.

(NST) – Despite being unhappy with Pas and its brand of Islam, ousted party leaders have admitted that hudud will remain an integral part of their political struggle.

Leaders from Pas breakaway faction Gerakan Harapan Baru (GHB) yesterday confirmed that hudud, or Islamic criminal law, is part and parcel of the Islamic movement’s core ideology.

Notable GHB member and former Pas central committee member Khalid Abdul Samad however said the matter of hudud would be temporarily placed on the back burner .

“For the time being, the priority is in fixing the political and economic mess that Barisan Nasional has led us into.

“Hudud is the last item to be implemented when support for Islamic governance is achieved,” he told the New Straits Times when contacted today.

He said hudud could only be implemented when certain conditions, including economic justice and equitable distribution, have been established. Khalid, who is also Shah Alam member of parliament, expressed hope that GHB’s stand on hudud would not sour relations with its secular political ally, DAP.

“Quoting (DAP parliamentary leader Lim) Kit Siang when he went to Kota Baru recently, he said: “Hudud is not the problem. The problem is the sincerity in the cooperation and whether it exists”.”

Khalid said despite their differences, DAP and GHB would not be deterred from forming a new opposition pact as announced by jailed opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently.

“While DAP believes that it (hudud) goes against the Federal Constitution, we think otherwise. That debate will end once the courts make a final decision on the matter,” he said.

Khalid said the new opposition alliance would deal with the issue of hudud “when the time comes”.