Sarawak DAP today cautioned non-Muslims in Malaysia, especially those in Sarawak, about a paper presented by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) that says hudud can be implemented in the country without the Federal Constitution being amended.

Once hudud is adopted by the government, the Jakim paper says, it would apply to all Malaysians irrespective of their race or religious belief, it said.

Jakim comes under the Prime Minister’s Department.

“Hudud is not suitable for Sarawak,” Sarawak DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen ( right ) said.

“Sarawak is worried about the Jakim paper, which was discussed by PAS Kelantan with Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Jamil Khir Baharom last week to see whether the proposals in the paper can be implemented in Kelantan,” Chong said.

This issue was discussed by Sarawak DAP alst Sunday, at which it also decided to withdraw from Sarawak Pakatan Rakyat if PAS refused to revert to the common polices and principles agreed to in the Pakatan manifesto issued before the 13th general election.

“I specifically and categorically deny what is said by Baru Bian (Sarawak PKR chief) and Adam Ahid (Sarawak PAS commissioner) on the allegation that the issue was never discussed,” Chong said.

He was referring to the statements made by Baru and Adam, who expressed surprise and shock over DAP’s threat to withdraw from Pakatan.

They also accused Chong of not consulting them on the hudud issue.

Hitting back at them, Chong said: “During the May meeting of Sarawak Pakatan, I brought up the issue that PAS makes a stand that hudud is not suitable for implementation in Sarawak.

'PAS rejected my call, Baru kept silent'

“It was firmly rejected by PAS. Baru, who was present, supported my request, but he was silent in the meeting.

“There is no point for him (Baru) to make a statement outside, but keep silent on the issue when it came to the crunch of the matter during Sarawak Pakatan meeting.

“I must admit that I was displeased with the stand taken by PKR and PAS. It is only right for PAS to make such a stand as far as the implementation of hudud in Sarawak is concerned,” said Chong, who is the MP for Bandar Kuching and the assemblyperson for Kota Sentosa.

He said: “What is more worrying is that PAS last Thursday engaged with federal government officers led by Jamil to discuss the implementation of hudud, based on the Jakim paper.

“The Jakim paper has the apparent endorsement of Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin ( left ),” he said.

Chong then went on to warn: “That discussion on the implementation of hudud without amending the Federal Constitution is the first step towards the Islamisation of Sarawak and the country.

“We have to deal with it and make our stand clear at this point of time. It should not be carried on as if nothing is happening.”

The ball is now in the court of PKR and PAS, he added, pointing out that PAS should make a stand on whether it wanted to revert to the common polices and principles spelt out in the coalition’s GE13 manifesto and stick with the spirit and principle of the Malaysia Agreement.

As far as PKR is concerned, it too should make its unequivocal stand on the issue.

On the statements by Gerakan and MCA that DAP’s threat to withdraw from Sarawak Pakatan is a ‘hoax’ and ‘an empty threat’, Chong said the Gerakan and MCA leaders  should go fly kites.

“Politically, they are bankrupt, and if they dare, they should stand up to Muhyiddin and Jakim. It is their duty to protect the interests of non-Muslims.

“They are in no position to tell Sarawakians what to do. They should leave Sarawak for Sarawakians,” he added.

Anwar denies keeping mum on hudud

Quit the party if serious, Sarawak DAP told