KUALA LUMPUR, 8 Jan 2008: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s assertion that hudud laws are applicapable only to Muslims and not the entire country is a fallacy, DAP chair Karpal Singh said today.
“The statement by PKR de facto leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, that there is no need to reject hudud laws as it is only applicable to Muslims is diametrically opposed to PAS’ avowed aim to turn Malaysia into an Islamist state.
“This has been PAS’ stand from its inception as is clearly reflected by the statements by former and present leaders of PAS,” he said in a statement here.
Karpal Singh noted that PAS spiritual leader, Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat, was quoted by a news report on Dec 23 last year as saying: “I cannot see why they (obviously non-Muslims) cannot accept hudud laws which are no different from the colonial laws of the West”.
Karpal, who is also Bukit Gelugor member of parliament, said that for hudud laws to be applicable, the prerequisite would be the setting-up of an Islamic state such as Saudi Arabia where Islamic laws were applicable to both Muslims and non-Muslims.
“It is important for Anwar to know exactly what PAS intends to do in calling for the setting-up of an Islamic state.
“Perhaps PAS president Hadi Awang should clear the air as to whether hudud laws intended by PAS are applicable to both Muslims and non-Muslims in the event PAS succeeds in setting up an Islamic state. In the public interest he should do so,” he added.
Karpal Singh said Malaysia was not an Islamic state and the passing and implementation of hudud laws would be unconstitutional. — Bernama
