Abim's uncompromising stand towards the proposed review of Syariah laws is a harbinger of things to come. What will Malaysia and Asean be like in 2020?

Abim's refusal to review the Syariah has set Malaysia on a treacherous course into the uncharted waters of Islamic fundamentalism. Is Abim seriously going to sentence apostates of Islam to death according to the Syafii 'mazhab'?

Or will Abim support 'peeping tom witnesses' of adultery and then lead a mob to stone those married adulterers to death? Where will Abim draw the line?

Perhaps when it is convenient, Abim would want to champion the cause of Muslim minorities in neighbouring Asean countries under the pretext of 'amar maruf, nahi munkar'? Where does it all end?

I have said that once the Syariah police is given a free hand, then we will mark the end of civil liberties in Malaysia. There must be dialogue. Abim is free to promote whatever brand of religion it subscribes to.

But in no way can Abim deny others their personal liberties. Otherwise where will it all lead to? What sort of country is this where half the population cannot make choices for themselves? This is not about permissiveness. Very far from it.

Indeed, why is it that the non-Muslims do not seem to suffer much from such social illnesses? They seem to be doing well at school, in business and with families despite being allowed to drink and party at discos!

Abim has to take a more responsible stand than just merely parroting PAS scholars.