Eminent Malays (G25) spokesperson Noor Farida Ariffin today admitted that although she is a practising Muslim, she does not want to live under the hudud law.

Speaking at a forum organised by the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) today, a member of the audience countered that she cannot question God's law.

Responding to this, Noor Farida ( left ) - who is Malaysia's former ambassador to the Netherlands - said that the problem now is because many ‘ kampung ustaz ’ (village preachers) are spreading the message that hudud is God's law and therefore, people could not question it.

"But many progressive Muslim scholars have said there are many conditions that have to be met before implementing hudud .

"We must have a fair society where the disparity between the rich and the poor is not that great. But here - even between the Malays - there is a gap," she noted.

'Don't apply 12th century laws today

Stressing that PAS was doing a "great disservice" to the Malays and Muslims, as well as its constituents, Noor Farida criticised the party for applying "12th century law" for evidence regarding zina (illicit sex).

"They won't accept scientific medical evidence, DNA evidence, or fingerprints.

"They insist that the only way to prove zina is four male witnesses of good character witnessing the penetration. This doesn't make sense!"

 

Further hitting out at PAS leaders, she pointed out how although they "fly using airplanes and drive cars", they however do not accept scientific medical evidence.

 

"This is contrary to what the Prophet Muhammad said, which is to seek knowledge even as far as China.

"If hudud is going to be imposed, all paedophiles will flock to Kelantan, because they can rape at will, be it children or adults.

 

"This is what PAS' hudud law is all about," she said.

 

Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar Nik Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah had said that the state government plans to table a private member's bill in Parliament in March to seek approval for amendments to the Syariah Criminal Code II Enactment 1993 to enable hudud to be implemented in the state.

 

PAS and DAP have continued to be at loggerheads over the matter, with spats between the two parties no longer a secret.