PAS: We will not implement hudud in Kelantan

(The Star) – PAS has given an assurance that it will not implement hudud in Kelantan even if proposed amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 are successful.

Its secretary-general Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan said Kelantan’s PAS-led state government will stick to the proposed maximum punishment mentioned by its president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang when tabling a tweaked motion to enhance syariah court powers.

“We are not implementing the Syariah Criminal Code (II) 1993 in Kelantan.

“The proposed amendments will be used on the existing 1985 Syariah Criminal Code,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby Thursday.

He added that the proposed amendments will cover offences such as zina (unlawful sexual intercourse), qazaf (accusation against one’s chastity) and syurb (alcohol consumption) under the 1985 enactment.

Hadi tabled a motion to introduce a Private Member’s Bill aimed at enabling syariah courts to impose stiffer penalties for these offences.

The amendments, if successful, will see the punishment increased from the maximum three years’ jail term to 30 years, the RM5,000 maximum fine to RM100,000, and the six lashes of the rotan to 100 lashes.

This is in contrast to the Kelantan state government’s amendments to the syariah criminal code in 1993 and 2015 to implement hudud.

The then proposed punishments included amputation of the limb for thieves and robbers, death by crucifixion and stoning for offences such as robbery, adultery and apostasy.

Takiyuddin denied suggestions by some quarters that Hadi’s proposed amendments will pave the way for implementation of hudud.

“We are not implementing hudud.

“The proposed amendments are not for hudud,” he said, blaming the media for confusing the issue and causing public anxiety.

Takiyuddin also noted that Hadi’s proposed amendments, if passed when tabled next March, will not automatically be enforced by syariah courts nationwide.

“It is not automatic as the state legislative assemblies must table amendments their own syariah laws to implement the amendments.

“For example, if Sabah and Sarawak don’t want to do so, they are free not to follow,” he added.

Asked if Barisan Nasional had a hand in helping push Hadi’s Bill in Parliament, Takiyuddin said it is solely a PAS effort.

However, he noted that the Government will take over Hadi’s Bill after its first reading next March.