KUCHING: The state DAP brought the hudud law issue during the state Pakatan Rakyat (PR) meeting sometime in May this year.
This was confirmed by its state chief Chong Chieng Jen who denied that the issue was never discussed at the meeting, an allegation he said was made by state PKR chief Baru Bian and state PAS chief Adam Ahid on Sunday.
“I brought out the (hudud law) issue and I requested that PAS made their stand during that meeting in May.
“PAS rejected the request and I thought PKR, represented by Baru would support my request but he was silent,” he told a press conference at the state DAP head office here yesterday.
“I must say I was displeased with the PKR and Pas’ stand,” he added.
According to Chong, PAS discussed the subject with the federal government last Thursday (news reported on Jul 18 by a Chinese Daily) which was led by Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.
He said the discussion touched on the implementation of hudud law without any amendment to the federal constitution citing a paper from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) which said that the hudud law could be implemented without amending the constitution.
“It also said hudud law applied to all Malaysians regardless of their religions and Jakim’s suggestion was apparently endorsed by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yasin. I think the discussion and implementation of hudud without amending the constitution is just the first step towards the Islamisation of the country.
“Now that the ball is at the court of PKR and PAS it is for PAS to make a stand whether they want to revert to the common principle, policy of PR common manifesto during the 13th General Election and the principle of the Malaysia agreement, “said Chong.
As far as PKR is concerned, Chong said that they should make a firm, clear and unequivocal stand on this issue.
“Beside PKR and PAS, the Barisan Nasional also has to make a stand on the issue. It is no longer an issue with PAS and Umno. It is our duty as political parties to defend the constitutions as well as the Malaysia Agreement,” he said.