Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad today claimed to have convinced PAS to drop its demand for hudud to be implemented in Kelantan back in 1994 because it was un-Islamic.

Hence, he said he is therefore puzzled why Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's administration would even entertain such a request now.

"Well, they think maybe the government is in need of support," Mahathir told reporters in Kuala Lumpur.

"During my time, I was leading a very strong government with two-thirds majority (in Parliament)."

Mahathir, the nation’s fourth and longest-serving prime minister, said unequivocally that his stand remains unchanged.

"I adhered to the teachings of Islam (when rejecting PAS’ hudud claim). And my letter to (PAS spiritual adviser) Nik Aziz was based on Islam, not anything so-called secular.

"In hudud and in Quran, the stress is on justice. In Malaysia, you cannot have justice if you try to apply hudud on Muslims and non-Muslims are exempted," Mahathir said.

Amputation of limbs

PAS is pushing for a private members parliamentary Bill to empower Kelantan's Syariah Court to mete out hudud, which among its more controversial sections, calls for the amputation of limbs for robbers and for adulterers to be stoned to death.

"Whenever you judge, judge with justice," Mahathir said, quoting from the Quran.

He said such justice however cannot be fairly meted out in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country such as Malaysia.

"You cut the hands of Muslims but the non-Muslim who is a thief gets two months jail...is that justice?

"It is not justice. If it is not justice, it is not Islamic," he added.

When asked what benefits PAS may reap by bringing up a two decade-old demand again, Mahathir said: "It's all about politics. You do this, people will say you are Islamic and they will support you.

"It's about becoming popular. We are a democratic nation and popularity brings you votes."

 

Although PAS only has 26 MPs, not enough to push through its hudud bill in Parliament by itself, the Islamic party has been rallying for support from all Muslims and even non-Muslims.

It was even willing to work with its rival Umno as its Kelantan religious leaders yesterday welcomed Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's proposal to forward hudud implementation plan through a joint task force to study the technical details.