PAS defiant in setting up strict Islamic law

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Opposition party PAS said that it will "definitely" impose strict Islamic criminal law in a state under its control in spite of a legal challenge. Party deputy president Abdul Hadi Awang said the party would go ahead with the decision to introduce strict Syariah criminal law in Terengganu next month.

"It is up to them to bring their objections to wherever they please but we will definitely table the bill in the state assembly as scheduled," Abdul Hadi was quoted as saying by the official Bernama news agency.

Syariah criminal law, carries punishments like stoning to death for adultery and amputation of limbs for theft.

Last Friday, a member of the Muslim Lawyers Association of Malaysia, Mohamad Zaid Ibrahim, charged in court that the move to implement hudud law was unconstitutional.

Mohamad Zaid argued that under the constitution, it was the federal parliament and government that passed criminal laws and not the state.

"I feel that the fundamental liberties I personally enjoy as a Malaysian under the federal constitution... are being threatened by the proposed legislation," he said.

Women's groups have also opposed the plan, saying it would discriminate against them.

Shameless

Under the new laws, a rape victim who fails to produce proof of the crime would instead be found guilty of adultery.

The victim is required to produce four Muslim men of good character as witnesses to the rape, failing which she could face a punishment of 80 strokes of the whip.

"It is shameless. Where will you find four men of good character to just stand by and witness a rape?" asked Zainah Anwar, executive director of Sisters In Islam.

PAS, which won control of the state in 1999 elections, also rules Kelantan, and has said it wants to create a theocratic Islamic state in this multi-cultural country.

PAS tried to impose Syariah criminal law in Kelantan in 1993 but it was vetoed by the federal government.

At present, Syariah law covers civil matters such as divorce for Malaysian Muslims, but is not part of the criminal code.



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