September 26, 2011
SEPT 26 — The current replay of the hudud polemic is another example of how Malaysian politics has its own sensitive taboos or bogeymen that are resurrected in different moments to test the political waters of ideologues of both sides of the political divide.
To my observation of politics over the years, the Malaysian vision of unity has been disintegrated and fragmented by politicians who are not able to come up with a unified vision of Malaysia in their actions.
This is due to pull they have in safeguarding the ideological foundations of their parties and their supporters, and this is exacerbated by strong emotions due to religious and ethnic sensitivities.
Shrewd politicians like Dr Mahathir Mohamad know this art of manipulation perfectly well and resurrects such issues from time to time to break up and neutralise the concerted action of the opposition parties in Malaysia.
Pakatan Rakyat is basically a loose coalition brought together by the common goal of bringing down Barisan Nasional. It is tested from time to time, when dark shadows are revealed and its credibility put on the line by the likes of Nik Aziz Nik Mat and Karpal Singh.
The question is, why has Pakatan Rakyat been unable to solve the issues of the Islamic state and hudud laws even after the introduction of its Buku Jingga?
Is the hudud issue going to eclipse real issues such the gap between rich and the poor, corruption, human rights and low productivity of the economy?
Governing involves a unified and equal vision of human dignity. The fundamental question is, will the hudud laws apply equally even if it involves royal household? If yes, how? If no, why?
The contents and merit of any laws have to pass the test of the Malaysian context. Will any laws proposed bring Malaysians together in terms of consensus over what constitutes crime?
There are some who say that hudud laws should be applied to Kelantan since the Kelantanese want it. The question is, on what basis such reasoning reached? Is it because the majority of Kelantanese are Malay-Muslim?
If this is so, are we moving or creating a precedent towards the dictatorship of the majority, which could be applied to other states when the time comes, creating two set of laws in a country where different ethnic and religious groups live side by side in an urban environment?
Therefore, it is vital for Pakatan Rakyat to take stock of these issues in the coming meetings. Being a loose coalition, the only way it would be ready to govern is if it has a unified vision of human dignity with the understanding that laws should bring people together rather than separate them.
The constitution is an excellent reference of unity regarding law. The essence of religion in the social aspect has nothing to do with dividing people according to laws but rather unifying and integrating systems of justice in the country where common values takes precedence.
The arguments that hudud is only for Muslims does not hold, because even within the Muslim community, there is no consensus on the context of its application.
So why waste time on an issues that does not pass the test of reality?
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication. The Malaysian Insider does not endorse the view unless specified.
source : Malaysian Insider
To my observation of politics over the years, the Malaysian vision of unity has been disintegrated and fragmented by politicians who are not able to come up with a unified vision of Malaysia in their actions.
This is due to pull they have in safeguarding the ideological foundations of their parties and their supporters, and this is exacerbated by strong emotions due to religious and ethnic sensitivities.
Shrewd politicians like Dr Mahathir Mohamad know this art of manipulation perfectly well and resurrects such issues from time to time to break up and neutralise the concerted action of the opposition parties in Malaysia.
Pakatan Rakyat is basically a loose coalition brought together by the common goal of bringing down Barisan Nasional. It is tested from time to time, when dark shadows are revealed and its credibility put on the line by the likes of Nik Aziz Nik Mat and Karpal Singh.
The question is, why has Pakatan Rakyat been unable to solve the issues of the Islamic state and hudud laws even after the introduction of its Buku Jingga?
Is the hudud issue going to eclipse real issues such the gap between rich and the poor, corruption, human rights and low productivity of the economy?
Governing involves a unified and equal vision of human dignity. The fundamental question is, will the hudud laws apply equally even if it involves royal household? If yes, how? If no, why?
The contents and merit of any laws have to pass the test of the Malaysian context. Will any laws proposed bring Malaysians together in terms of consensus over what constitutes crime?
There are some who say that hudud laws should be applied to Kelantan since the Kelantanese want it. The question is, on what basis such reasoning reached? Is it because the majority of Kelantanese are Malay-Muslim?
If this is so, are we moving or creating a precedent towards the dictatorship of the majority, which could be applied to other states when the time comes, creating two set of laws in a country where different ethnic and religious groups live side by side in an urban environment?
Therefore, it is vital for Pakatan Rakyat to take stock of these issues in the coming meetings. Being a loose coalition, the only way it would be ready to govern is if it has a unified vision of human dignity with the understanding that laws should bring people together rather than separate them.
The constitution is an excellent reference of unity regarding law. The essence of religion in the social aspect has nothing to do with dividing people according to laws but rather unifying and integrating systems of justice in the country where common values takes precedence.
The arguments that hudud is only for Muslims does not hold, because even within the Muslim community, there is no consensus on the context of its application.
So why waste time on an issues that does not pass the test of reality?
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication. The Malaysian Insider does not endorse the view unless specified.
source : Malaysian Insider
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