Hudud seems too close for comfort to non-Muslims
We were under the impression the initiative taken by PAS in Kelantan will not affect the rest of the country. Not only that, we were also assured that Hudud will not affect us, only the Muslims. But when they have the numbers, there is no guarantee what is going to happen later. Slowly but surely, it is going to affect us one way or the other. Already, some Malays have been complaining that though they have special privileges, they do not have the same kind of freedom as the non-Malays. Will they be happy if they are subject to strict Syariah laws while the non-Muslims go about their usual seemingly carefree way of life? Will all the Malay MPs be obliged to vote for Hudud in Parliament?
We have the numbers for hudud vote in Parliament, says Kelantan PAS
'Kelantan PAS says the numbers in Parliament are in its favour as it only needs a simple majority to get hudud implemented in the state by amending a law governing the scope of the Shariah courts, and not the Federal Constitution, deputy menteri besar Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah said.'
'The plan to amend the Shariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 by way of a private member's bill in Parliament will only need 112 votes from the 222-member federal legislature, and quashes earlier talk that the Islamist party lacked the numbers to enforce hudud by amending the constitution.'
'There are 126 Muslim MPs in Parliament. PAS has 21 seats, its opposition allies PKR and DAP 16 and two respectively, and the ruling Barisan Nasional, 87. While this total is far short of the 148 votes or two-thirds needed to approve a change to the constitution, it allows a margin for a simple majority even if the two Muslim MPs from the strongly secular DAP were to vote against any proposal. PKR Muslim MPs have been mostly reticent when asked previously if they would or would not vote in support of hudud, which is not part of the opposition Pakatan Rakyat's (PR) common policy.'
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/we-have-the-numbers-for-hudud-vote-in-parliament-says-kelantan-pas#sthash.VLtd5SlN.dpuf
It is still confusing until tested in law. Earlier, When PAS said they have the numbers, I thought they could make it federal law with just a simple majority. But it is for Parliament to pass the private bill on Kelantan only. I suppose for hudud at federal level, it still needs two-third majority. In other words, other states can follow Kelantan's example, one at a time. But I still have hope that there are enough Malays who do not wish for hudud (Zaid for one), and with realignment (with or without PAS in Pakatan), ultimately, it depends on the voters. Muslim ADUNs and MPs might feel obliged because of religion to support hudud, but Muslim voters can anonymously vote for those who do not support hudud. PAS will find out soon enough at the next GE.Link
Taliban nation in the making.
ReplyDeleteSo seram.