LDP Youth denounces minister’s warning over hudud

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KOTA KINABALU: LDP Youth has condemned Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s warning to MCA and Gerakan not to interfere with the hudud issue as it does not affect the non-Muslims.

According to the movement chief, Tsang Hieng Yee, Ismail should step down as the Agriculture-and Agro-based Industries Minister for making another statement that has created unhappiness among the Chinese community in the country.

“It is as though his call for Bumiputras to boycott the businesses of the Chinese has not created enough trouble and chaos. He is now back with something capable of doing greater damage and calamity.

“With all the damaging remarks made by him, BN component parties will have a hard time to win back the people’s support,” he said and reiterated that Ismail should resign so that a more suitable person could take up the post for the sake of Malaysians, particularly, the younger generation.

Tsang said Ismail’s remark had not only demonstrated his ignorance and insensitivity to the historical setup of Malaysia, he had also proven his inability to comprehend the hudud issue that was going on now.

LDP Youth, or any other competently minded Malaysians, can easily point out 101 reasons why the implementation of the hudud law in Kelantan would affect the non-Muslims, he stressed.

“Among others, at the risk of being overly emphasised and overly reiterated, is that hudud is inconsistent with the Federal Constitution. Any law that goes against the Federal Constitution is unlawful, and shall affect all Malaysians.

“Further, the hudud law is difficult to implement and to monitor in a multi-cultural and multi-religious Malaysia, particularly when there are crimes which may involve both Muslims and non-Muslims at the same time.

“Thirdly, the hudud law does not augur well with our country’s stance in upholding moderate governance which plays an important role in securing foreign investments.

Fourthly, it violates the Malaysia Agreement and the very foundation of the formation of Malaysia as a sovereign nation,” he said.

LDP Youth, Tsang stressed, stands behind party president Datuk Teo Chee Kang and supports the president’s stance in condemning PAS’ attempt to introduce hudud punishment in its criminal system.

“We shall do whatever we can to stop hudud punishment from affecting Sabah in any manner whatsoever, including taking legal action to declare hudud law as unconstitutional or illegal in Sabah.

“We have the greatest respect for the teachings of Islam, including its hudud law. We have no problem whatsoever with its preaching, just as with any other religion in the country, as freedom of religion is guaranteed by our Federal Constitution. However, we do not agree that laws be made a part of people’s life and able to affect the way of life of all Malaysians, where in the present era, global competition and human rights recognition are at its peak,” he pointed out.