It deeply saddens me to know Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail's stand on PAS' implementation of hudud and syariah laws. As the party's leader, she must realise that her actions and words will be perceived as the stand of the party itself, and by that fact alone, she has successfully shot Keadilan on its collective foot.

Firstly, she has thrown out the window all Keadilan and the Barisan Alternatif's initial promises of justice, respect for the Federal Constitution and rule of law. However, allowing a fellow coalition member to implement laws that fly in the face of Malaysia's Federal Constitution was not her biggest mistake.

The negative political repercussions that Keadilan, and the BA, will reap in the next general election will be a reflection of the biggest political blunder ever committed in BA's short history; the sidelining of non-Muslims and liberal Malay-Muslims.

Just recently, PAS and Opposition Leader Abdul Hadi Awang, while counting his eggs before they are hatched, remarked that non-Muslims would have no role in the policy making of an Islamic state. Granted, he has backtracked on his statement and went on to define what he meant by 'policy'. Too late.

First impressions usually have the greatest impact, and a person is usually judged by what he commits to initially, for those remarks now reflect Hadi's attitude and where non-Muslims fit into his worldview.

Keadilan and PAS should not assume that the lack of vociferous opposition to the hudud by the general non-Muslim and liberal Malay-Muslim populace, apart from the DAP and a few NGOs, is due to some meek form of acceptance to said laws. Their feelings on these issues will be translated into votes against the party in the near future.

In addition to sidelining important segments of the population, Keadilan's stand through Wan Azizah's words shows a blatant disregard for basic human rights, namely the right not to be tortured or be subject to cruel and unusual forms of punishment.

For all the fuss over ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim's black eye (which he or any detainee should not ever be subject to), what is Wan Azizah's and Keadilan's views on amputation of limbs and stoning to death as punishment for crimes, which will be provided for under PAS' Islamic laws?

As a mother, what is Wan Azizah's opinion on PAS' absurd laws regarding rape? Do you agree that the victim must produce several Muslim male witnesses or else she will be convicted of adultery? Do you really believe PAS has a right to implement such absurdity at the expense of discriminating against non-Muslims and females as witnesses? Where does all this fit into Keadilan's hullabaloo on being a multicultural, multireligious party that would ensure justice for all?

From all these latest developments, might I be wrong in assuming PAS to be so steeped in its theological arrogance that it does not realise that many good, God-fearing Malay-Muslims prefer a system of justice as spelt out in our current Constitution? That returning to an outdated system of justice which imposes cruel punishment on criminals and is highly sexist in nature is not paramount to being a good Muslim?

Then perhaps, is Keadilan just a spineless entity relying on the votes of PAS supporters to garner some meagre parliamentary and state seats, therefore afraid to boldly and rightfully stand up against the implementation of hudud?

I still remember a time, not too long ago, when the injustice perpetrated on one man gave birth to a star of justice that shone brightly upon the Malaysian landscape with a promise of a better future for all her children.

Wan Azizah held the torch up high and gave us a glimpse into that future that was to come. Malaysians of all ages, races, beliefs and socio-economic background stood by her then. But in return she now plays a politician to the hilt and dances to the tune that would possibly garner more votes. She is no different from those who lead us now in the Barisan Nasional.

And with our hopes shattered, our trust betrayed and a Sword of Damocles in the form of an intolerant theocratic state hanging over our heads, many Malaysians will once again return to the ballot box and bring the BN back into power once again, with possibly a larger majority.

Perhaps a good five years out of the political limelight and away from the hallowed hallways of Parliament would enable Keadilan's decision makers to ponder the significance of the party's multicultural and multireligious slogans, rethink its mantras on justice and fairness and, of course, reflect on the importance of being true to what it stands for.