PKR said PAS leaders should stop questioning the faith of Muslims who question the Islamic party's move to implement hudud law, as there is nothing in the syariah that prevents this.

"It is ... unacceptable for certain Pas leaders to continuously question the faith of Muslims whenever they raise questions or doubts on (a) PAS faction's attempt to implement hudud.  

There is nothing in the syariah that prohibits Muslims from debating hudud," said PKR central committee member Latheefa Koya in a statement today.

She said many ordinary Muslims in Malaysia felt compelled to say that they will not object to hudud but this is a fallacy.

"There is some confusion that as Muslims cannot 'reject' the hudud, therefore we cannot question PAS' version of hudud. This is a fallacy. PAS’ version of hudud is not a sacred cow," she said.

Latheefa earlier slammed Kelantan PAS for pushing forward with an emergency sitting to discuss hudud, particularly at a time when Pakatan's biggest rival Umno was facing serious challenges for example over the issue of Prime Minister Najib Razak's controversial 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

She accused PAS leaders of helping Umno distract public attention from the 1MDB scandal by playing up the hudud issue.

At the same time, Latheefa continued to allege that it was a "small faction" in PAS which is pushing the matter, and that it had to be stopped.

"As a Muslim and a leader of Keadilan, it is my responsibility to ensure that this country is not dragged into a divisive and polemical discussion on hudud and Islam merely to serve some political agenda of BN and a small faction in PAS.

"The hudud issue was brought up either by this small PAS faction or Umno in a highly politicised manner via the media, and never through proper meetings and discussions involving all stakeholders," said the lawyer.

She added that the "faction" had failed to spell out to the public as to what is really at stake.

"What is the impact on Muslims and non-Muslims, the constitutional effect, the jurisdictional effect, and the very critical question on the practicality of its implementation?" Latheefa queried.

'Umno not serious about hudud'

While PAS leaders - particularly in Kelantan - insist that the implementation of hudud, the Islamic penal code, is compulsory, critics such as the late DAP chairperson Karpal Singh had repeatedly pointed out that it was not in line with the federal constitution and that it would create two judicial systems in the country.

Kelantan first passed its hudud enactment in the 90s, but it was blocked from implementation by Putrajaya.

Latheefa ( right ) said that Umno - which has been the driving force this time around behind PAS Kelantan's renewed push for the enactment to be finally put in force - was being disingenuous.

"They were never serious about hudud, except to seize the opportunity to distract the rakyat from the real injustice that is happening in this country.

"Umno-BN does what it knows best - which is to continue to play the race and religion card to ensure that this country remains divided and their rule is prolonged," she said, echoing PAS central committee member Mujahid Yusof Rawa to urge Pakatan to remain united on its common goals.

"PKR, PAS and DAP  must set aside their perceived differences on issues such as hudud implementation, and instead press on to rid this country of the scourge of the corrupt and unjust Umno-BN," she stressed.

MCA: PAS arrogant

Meanwhile, MCA Youth secretary and Pahang Youth chairperson Leong Kim Soon has accused Mujahid ( left ) and his anti-racism NGO Gerakan Anti Perkauman (Gap) of trying to "downplay" the issue with their call yesterday.

He blamed DAP for misleading voters in voting for PAS to fight corruption and abuse of power, when it was PAS that was abusing its powers.

"The reality is, the most arrogant party to want to abuse power is none other than PAS itself,” noted Leong.

“In actual fact, PAS had never fought for the parliamentary democracy and federal constitution. Its single aim is to set up an Islamic state whereby religious-based laws will reign supreme.

"As such, at this critical juncture, we urge all the so-called moderate leaders in Pakatan to stop acting and pretending," said Leong.

He called on Pakatan leaders to demonstrate at PAS headquarters or the Kelantan state assembly if they were serious in opposing PAS' move.

MIC: MPs must reject bill

In a related statement MIC Youth chief C Sivaraajh called on all non-Muslim parliamentarians to decide whether they want a country with "two sets of laws".

"It is not enough to say that the Islamic law is only for Muslims, because when you amend the constitution, you affect every citizen.

"Christians, Hindus and Buddhists and (those of) other religions will have to live in a society ruled by Islamic law, no matter how good or bad the laws are.

"The private members bill, when it is tabled in Parliament, must be defeated by all MPs who value our constitutions and our way of life," he said.

Sivaraajh said the bill, which will be discussed at the Kelantan assembly on Dec 29, only needs 112 MPs in favour for it to be passed.

He warned PAS will lose its non-Muslim votes if it persists in tabling the bill.

"Non-Muslim voters did not vote for PAS to implement hudud laws," he said.