Statement on hudud enactment in Kelantan

Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man

September 30, 2011 Statement by PAS on the implementation of hudud laws for Muslims in Kelantan PAS would like to stress that its struggle and actions are within the framework of democracy and the provisions of the Federal Constitution. These include the basics such as the position of Islam as the Federal religion, the guarantee for the freedom to practise other religions, the sovereignty of the Malay language as the National Language while maintaining the rights to one's mother tongue, the status of the Malay Rulers, as well as the special rights of the Malays and Bumiputera and the rights of all other communities as guaranteed under the Federal Constitution. PAS reiterates its commitment towards comprehensive reforms in the country through a people's charter agreed upon under what is called Pakatan Rakyat Common Policy Platform and the Orange Book. In all its actions as well as policies of PAS whether at party or governmental level, PAS strongly subscribes to the struggle for a benevolent state which demands for the universal justice of Islam to be enjoyed by all, and rejects in the strongest terms any acts of injustice to any citizen. The differences with DAP with regard to the Syariah Criminal Enactment are based on the interpretation that it runs contrary to the provisions of the Federal Constitution. Matters of interpretation are subjective, as there are clear differences in the understanding between the legal experts of both parties, particularly in finding a solution. For PAS, the solution will ultimately lie with a court of law. In line with Syariah Criminal Enactment II (1993) and Syariah Criminal Enactment (2003)  respectively passed by the state assemblies of Kelantan and Terengganu, PAS is of the view that the state government has the power to translate these enactments into law. The question of whether the Federal government is agreeable or not is secondary and one that needs to be solved in a suitable and logical setting. The people of Kelantan chose PAS on the basis of its Islamic ideals, and as such, their right to practise their religion must be acknowledged. Any attempt otherwise goes against the spirit of democracy which has been mutually agreed. As for the Enactment, it is now up to the Kelantan state government to proceed with the next step. Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man Information Chief source: Harakah Daily