PRM Youth today criticised its Barisan Alternatif ally, PAS, for its insistence on implementing the hudud bill in Terengganu, and described it as a "political ploy to out-Islamise" the Barisan Nasional.
The party's Youth committee member Latheefa Koya said the tabling of the Terengganu state syariah criminal enactment would not only cause great disservice to Islam but also " fitnah " (slander) the religion.
"PAS must realise that it cannot simply come up with legislation without any serious plan for practical implementation, unless it is really a political ploy," said Latheefa in a press statement.
"The eagerness in tabling and implementing the bill will only cause greater misunderstanding of Islam," she warned.
Latheefa urged the PAS-led Terengganu government to reconsider its proposal and instead concentrate on greater issues like abolition of poverty and corruption, better distribution of wealth and abrogation of the Internal Security Act which allows indefinite detention without trial.
The proposed law has come under fire from parties on both sides of the political divide as well as non-governmental organisations.
Last week, the women's wing of Keadilan — another PAS ally — submitted a memorandum to Terengganu Menteri Besar Abdul Hadi Awang calling for a review of several clauses in the enactment which are discriminatory to women.
Joining the fray, Women and Family Development Minister Sharizat Abdul Jalil said all women must unite and reject the law.
Tabling deferred
As a result of this widespread opposition, the state government decided to delay the tabling of the bill until later this year.
The proposed amendments include provisions which shift the burden of proof from a rape perpetrator to the victim.
According to the disputed provisions, a woman can be charged for slanderous accusations if she fails to provide four credible witnesses to prove the rape.
The law was also criticised for only recognising Muslim men who are aqil baligh (have come of age) and adil (fair) as witnesses.
Meanwhile, Latheefa said PRM supported the various women's groups stand on the bill and shared their sentiments to protest the injustices that will afflict women, especially rape victims, if the bill was passed.
She said the bill should have been thoroughly discussed and analysed by various groups including Islamic scholars, academics and legal experts before being drafted, and not merely restricted to the party's ulama (Muslim scholar) council.
"The various loopholes that exist within the bill suggest that the drafters have failed to acknowledge the contemporary realities of society and the lack of ability of PAS' ulama council to explore and come up with solutions that are relevant to modern society," said Latheefa.
"Islamic law is not static and it is very important that there is harmony between the syariah and the prevailing customs and conditions of the society," she added.
Latheefa, who represents PRM in the BA women's discussions, said if this bill was passed, true ideas of justice and the philosophy of punishment and reformasi would be sacrificed for the sake of PAS' own political goals.
