INTERVIEW PAS says it definitely needs its sworn enemy Umno to complete its struggle to implement Islamic criminal law or hudud.

 

It also believes that its Private Member’s Bill on hudud in Parliament will be the final test of Umno’s sincerity for Muslims.

 

According to Kelantan deputy chief minister Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah - who is the only one in PAS allowed to speak on hudud to the media - there is no way PAS Kelantan can implement hudud without Umno paving the way.

 

With no support from its own allies DAP and PKR on hudud, PAS now not only needs the BN government’s forces such as the Police and Prisons Department, it also very much needs the support of the Umno MPs in Parliament to get the Private Member’s Bill passed to allow the state to implement hudud.

 

That said, Amar, who is also the state PAS deputy commissioner, insisted that joining Umno or BN is a definite no-no.

 

“We will never join hands with Umno - we will not fall into Umno’s trap for the second time - it’s enough that we have been bitten once,” said Amar.

 

In 1973, PAS joined hands with Umno in BN, only to find the Islamic party breaking into four splinter groups leading it almost to a death sentence in politics at the time.

 

Amar pointed out that the main reason hudud was never implemented, despite having been passed 23 years ago, had always been due to Umno’s and the federal government’s opposition.

 

On why PAS is actually trusting Umno’s sincerity this time round despite having been stabbed in the back once in 1978, Amar likens it to that of a beckoning pretty bride, whom one should marry to find out whether she is as honest as she says.

 

“In their hearts we do not know, but for now Umno has shown cooperation.

 

“For us the biggest commitment that they have shown is when they have formed the technical committee under the federal government.

 

“Whether they have a hidden agenda or not, we do not know - that is in their hearts. But the positive thing is that the committee is formed.

 

“So, if they do oppose the Private Member’s Bill when we bring it to Parliament, then that is the test of their honesty.

 

Amar then gave a simple analogy.                       

 

“For example, if we get married, then our wife misbehaves, will people say we are stupid?

 

“That is the future we do not know about. Before we marry, we have seen her, we are satisfied and confident. But after six or seven years, she has a change of heart…”

 

Using the democratic process

 

Amar said that PAS saw no harm in working with the enemy to reach the former’s goal.

 

“Trust is one question. But in terms of the relationship, the fact that state and federal government need each other is there. So now they are opening the way for us (to implement hudud), so why do we not try?

 

“We do not lose anything. If Umno is really sincere and passes it in Parliament, then we would have gotten our wish. If Umno, on the other hand, plays politics and does not support, then it is proven Umno cannot be trusted at all.

 

“We know that in implementing hudud, it cannot be done without the cooperation of the federal government.

 

“This is why we are using the legal ways and getting it into the constitution. We want the Private Member’s Bill passed in Parliament as we want to follow all constitutional procedures.

 

“There have been allegations that hudud goes against the constitution. So we chose the legal approach and this is why we are following the legal way.

 

“There are opinions that once we pass it in the Kelantan state assembly, we can implement it straight without the consensus from the federal government.

 

“To us, it is not proper - which is why we are bringing to the federal level  and we do that by bringing a Private Member’s Bill to Parliament.”

 

No rush, all according to plan

 

On allegations that PAS is now rushing by calling for the special state assembly sitting on Dec 29, Amar said everything was according to plan.

 

“Islamic law is our ambition. Before we even became the state government, we already wanted to implement it. Now that we are the government, we can do so.

 

“It is not the question if whether we want to work with Umno. In terms of legislation and constitution, we cannot run away from the fact that the state government has to work with the federal government.

 

“This is ‘G to G’ (government to government). Even in Penang, many projects cannot be done if there is no cooperation from the federal government.

 

“How can Lim Guan Eng get RM2 billion for the dam or the underground tunnel, if there is no cooperation between the state government and the federal government?

 

“We are doing the same - this is a G to G. We cannot implement hudud without the cooperation from the federal government. We need the police and the prisons and these are under them. You have to understand that.”

 

“First, we have to make the enactment to the Act 355 of the syariah laws of the state which is also tied up to the Act 356, so that harsher punishments can be imposed on the crimes.

 

“I was told that the Malaysian government is ready to take this draft for the enactment. Maybe they will bring it to Parliament next year.

 

“Another opinion is that we have to seek permission from Parliament to allow the state assembly to amend the parliamentary laws.”

 

Duty of all PAS MPs

 

On whether all PAS MPs have vouched their support for the bill, Amar invoked the divine call.

 

“In terms of setting, I don’t know. This is not politics, this is beyond politics - it has to do with belief and religion. So we hope that all Muslim MPs irrespective of party, support the bill.

 

“It only needs a simple majority and we do not need to change the constitution.”

 

When asked who are the MPs who will bring the Bill to Parliament, Amar simply stated that all PAS MPs are duty bound to do so. 

 

“It has been agreed (in central PAS). It’s only that some are asking if this is the right time to bring the private Bill to Parliament.

 

“The Act 355 has been agreed upon. According to PAS’ system, if the party has agreed to bring it, then all PAS MPs have to support it.”

 

Not going with zero

 

When asked if the final goal of implementing hudud is worth the risk of getting ‘burned’ by Umno, Amar says that politics is full of risks.

 

“We take the risks with Umno or take the risks with Pakatan. We are ready. It is not rushing because we have been waiting for 23 years. Now, we think we are ready. Yes, we think we are ready.

 

He cited examples of preparations such as a workshop on how to chop off hands which was done recently.

 

“We have recently conducted a workshop on how to implement the punishments of hudud. How to cut off  hands, under what circumstances. This workshop was attended by law and medical experts from the whole of Malaysia.

 

“The thing is ready but we did not disclose to the public. We are not going with zero, we already have preparations.

 

“I want to question DAP’s opposition - they said that they oppose hudud because it is against the constitution.                                                                                        

“My question is what if we go through Parliament, and it gets approved - are you still going to oppose?

 

“This is why we are taking the legal way - not against Parliament and not against the constitution, because the secularists insist that it has to be with the constitution. Now, we are using that way, why are you stopping us, if you are really democratic, let us try,” said Amar.

 

He asked that the opponents of hudud, especially DAP, to allow PAS to bring it to the Parliament and respect democracy.   

                         

THE MOHD AMAR INTERVIEW

                                                                                                                   

Part 1: On hudud, PAS likens Umno to a beckoning bride

 

Part 2: PAS man vows not to be overzealous on hudud

Part 3: Amar: Hudud more important than winning Putrajaya

    

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