Discuss hudud issue with non-Muslims, PAS told
PAS was reminded today that it has to abide by the federal constitution, as well as the party constitution, on its proposal to implement hudud law in Kelantan.
PAS was reminded today that it has to abide by the federal constitution, as well as the party constitution, on its proposal to implement hudud law in Kelantan.
The party constitution states that PAS will adhere to the federal constitution and this includes the implementation of hudud, PAS Supporters Club (PSC) president Hu Pang Chow said.
The PAS leadership should also discuss with PSC members and non-Muslims should it want to go ahead and implement hudud.
"The party constitution states that any effort and action must be within the limits of the Federal Constitution and the laws of the country for PAS to achieve its purpose and objectives. The leaders should abide by this in the implementation of hudud," Hu (
left
) said.
"Hence, the PAS leaders should discuss the implementation of hudud with the PSC and other non-Muslims.
"I feel there are other bread and butter issues that should be prioritised, rather than hudud, if PAS and Pakatan Rakyat want to take over Putrajaya. Hence, harping on it now will not achieve the desired objective," he told Malaysiakini .
Hu said that while hudud could be a PAS aspiration and objective, it should be within the confines of the Federal Constitution and also the party constitution, if it is implemented.
Hence, he said, it was important that PAS leaders consulted with the PSC and other non-Muslims to help overcome this concern.
Hu explained that he was concerned over some media reports on the possibility of PSC members leaving the party if the hudud issue was continuously harped on and not explained properly.
"Some (PSC) members have voiced their concerns over the implementation of hudud. What I am relating is their concerns and to alert PAS leadership that if this is not handled, there could be some leaving the PSC wing."
"I cannot say I will get PSC members withdraw support for the party... I have no right to dissolve the movement as it was approved by the party central committee. What I am saying is that PAS has to discuss the hudud matter with us and also other non-Muslims," he said.
Malay daily Sinar Harian today reported Hu warning of a mass exodus from the PSC if hudud was made law.
PSC supports welfare state concept
Hu maintained that he was a staunch supporter of PAS and its welfare state concept. This, he said was something he had supported all his life and had spent a lot of time building up the wing, which is officially recognised by the party.
"I am a co-founder and have built the wing to what it is now, with 30,000 members, so how can I influence them to leave the party? I am only expressing my concerns.
"However, I support the welfare state concept mooted by PAS as it will provide equal opportunities for all.
"This is something PAS should build on with its Pakatan Rakyat partners in its quest for Putrajaya. We have to work on harmony, justice, unity and get the tyrant Barisan Nasional out of Putrajaya," he said.
As long as PAS worked for justice for everybody, regardless of whether they were Muslims or non-Muslims, the party would get the necessary support, for PSC as well as PAS members were committed to seeing a better future with the overthrow of BN.
'Hudud may infringe rights of non-Muslims'
Asked to comment that on the statements of Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang that hudud would not affect non-Muslims, Hu said the party leaders needed to convince non-Muslims on this.
As has seen in the
S Shamala case
, he said, a father converted their children, even a baby, to Islam. The civil court simply said it had no jurisdiction in the matter and left it to the Syariah Court.
Hu also cited another case in Malacca where a couple married under civil law, but the husband later converted to Islam and died.
Following this, he said, the Malacca Islamic Religious Council took over the management of the husband's assets, since he had converted to Islam.
"It was only with the intervention of the chief minister that the matter was resolved. Mohd Ali Rustam decided to give the assets back to go the wife, who had not converted.
"PAS claims Islam is the supreme law. However, what if we have cases infringing on the rights of non-Muslims, as in this case?" he asked.
Despite these concerns, Hu added, he remained committed to the PAS cause to unseat BN.
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