A straw poll among non-Muslims in Kelantan suggests that they have no qualms with hudud being implemented in the Malay heartland, surprisingly bucking preconceived notions that the whole community is against the Islamic criminal law.

                                               

This comes as 81 percent of Malays surveyed by Merdeka Centre in Peninsular Malaysia said they want post-flood recovery to be a priority over the implementation of hudud.

 

A number of non-Muslims met at Kampung Tebing Tingggi, Kampung Sabak and Kampung Pulau Gajah in Kota Bharu, especially the older generation, say implementing the syariah penal code was timely and would teach criminals to be "more repentant".

 

"Implementing hudud is a good thing, it will teach the criminals so that they will regret their action," said Chua Guan Hong ( right ), 77, breaking into a smile.

 

"The current (civil) law is ‘biasa sahaja’ (not so effective).”

 

For housewife Teng Kiok Pin, 43, if hudud is implemented to prevent crime, then she is all for it.

 

"I have no problem (for hudud to be implemented). If it's good for the Malays, then the Chinese don't have any problems with it," she said.

 

When asked whether the time was appropriate for the Islamic law to be implemented, Teng nodded her agreement, citing the current crime rate.

 

She said that she did not receive further explanation on hudud, but admitted that she is hardly at home and may have missed an explanatory visit by relevant bodies.

 

Despite DAP threatening a break-up of the Pakatan Rakyat coalition if PAS goes ahead with its plans, the Kelantan government is scheduled to table amendments to the syariah enactment today.

 

Once the enactment is passed, PAS intends to table a Private Member’s Bill in Parliament to use the power of Parliament via Section 76A1 of the federal constitution to transfer federal jurisdiction on criminal justice to states.

 

Criminal justice now falls under the constitution’s federal list, while the Islamic Syariah Court is under state jurisdiction.

 

Even so, Schedule 9 of the state list says the Syariah Court can only impose penalties of up to RM5,000 fine, three years in jail and six lashes, and does not extend to hudud penalties such as amputations.

 

Little details

 

Genting Casino worker Peck Kien Shen, 25, does not have all these details but gives Kelantan’s hudud plans the thumbs up.

 

"I accept it, especially if it can reduce crime rates," he said.

 

Fifty-two-year-old Wanta Naichun ( right ) is similarly vague on what hudud really is because the relevant authorities did not explain it to her but believes it is for the good of society.

 

The mother of four, whose third child is a Muslim, shares that she is also used to listening to talks on Islam at night.

 

Last month, Gerakan said it will file a judicial review on the hudud if it is ever implemented because it is unconstitutional.

 

Gerakan and fellow BN member MCA argue the hudud will affect non-Muslims, given that Muslim and non-Muslim offenders will be penalised under different sets of laws.

 

But salesman Goo Soon Chian ( left ), 53, believes PAS when it says that hudud is not applicable to non-Muslims.

 

"I just accept it (the implementation of hudud)," he said, when asked how it will affect his community.

 

Contrary to the other non-Muslim folk met, 60-year-old Lee Guan Yew ( topmost photo ) says she is well-informed about the hudud because she “watches television”.

 

Clued in, the sundry shop owner nevertheless feels there is nothing much non-Muslims can do but to accept the hudud since the state is adamant to go ahead with it.

 

"I can't say for sure (if crime rates will go down with hudud), but let's just see," Lee said.