DAP Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng claimed that so far, a total of 50 parliamentarians would be opposing PAS’s plan to tender a Private Member’s Bill pushing for hudud implementation in Kelantan at the next Dewan Rakyat session in June.

He said since DAP, MCA, Gerakan and MIC had previously expressed their stance against hudud, this made him believe that some 50 lawmakers from the parties would not vote in favour of the controversial law.

“I believe that this time, seven MPs from MCA, one from Gerakan, four from MIC and 38 DAP MPs will all object to this,” he told Malaysiakini this evening.

Lim ( left ) further explained that one-third of parliamentarians, which is 75 MPs, are needed in order to defeat the bill and therefore, another 25 more lawmakers in the House needed to also make such a rejection.

“I still need to persuade 25 MP from PKR and BN so as to gain their support,” he added.

It was reported that Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Jamil Khir Baharom, who is in charge of Islamic affairs, had openly expressed his willingness to assist the PAS-led Kelantan government to implement hudud in the state.

PAS leaders then responded by planning to table a Private Member’s Bill in Parliament to remove federal obstacles to hudud.

Mustapa: Spell out contents

Meanwhile, Kelantan Umno has urged PAS to spell out the contents of the hudud Private Member's Bill it intends to table.

“We have to make sure that there is understanding among all parliamentarians so there are no differing reactions, which could cause a lot of damage,” Berita Harian quoted Kelantan Umno liaison chief Mustapa Mohamed (left) as saying.

“Such a motion must be understood by all (Muslim and non-Muslim MPs) so that there will be no polemics which could cause conflicts in a multiracial society.”

Kelantan Menteri Besar Ahmad Yakob had said that PAS is committed to tabling the Bill in Parliament to pave the way for implementation of the state’s Syariah Criminal Enactment II.

There are, however, conflicting views as to whether the Bill requires a constitutional amendment. If so, the process would need the support of two-thirds of the MPs.

Those who say an amendment is required argue that the hudud would allow states to mete out criminal punishments beyond what is allowed of a state under the constitution.

DAP and MCA have both said that they will not support the Bill, while PKR and Umno have not made their stand clear.