Wanita MCA to Hadi Awang: Hudud laws unacceptable irrespective of economic situation

Press Statement issued by Wanita MCA National Chairman Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun over the remarks made by PAS President Dato’ Seri Hadi Awang that the recession delays implementing hudud


Wanita MCA to Hadi Awang: Hudud laws unacceptable irrespective of economic situation

Responding to remarks by PAS President Dato’ Seri Hadi Awang that “the current economic situation could delay its implementation (of hudud laws),” Wanita MCA National Chairman Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun urged Kuala Terengganu voters and Malaysians in general to look at the larger picture. Voicing alarm, Mei Fun highlighted PAS has never wavered from their long term plan to enforce hudud. “Although Hadi Awang claimed that ‘in order for hudud to be implemented, people must have proper education, jobs as well as economic mobility,’ make no mistake that the PAS’s theocratic state is still in their agenda once recession woes have been quelled.”

Mei Fun also queried whether Hadi Awang’s softening position was uttered to score political mileage in view of the Kuala Terengganu by-elections just 3 weeks away. “While PAS Vice Chairman Dato’ Husam Musa is adamant that hudud laws are meant for all Malaysians, Hadi Awang has taken a contradictory stand that hudud laws only apply to Muslims. Is Hadi Awang merely trying to win over voters who fear hudud laws?”

During the 2004 general elections, PAS insisted on imposing hudud laws which included amputating limbs, stoning and whipping for non-Muslims too. Realizing that such hardline practices were rejected by the non-Muslim community, PAS switched their model towards a welfare state which was seemingly gentler and all embracive for the general elections last March 8th. The flinching positions of PAS on hudud laws were then taken to task by the MCA Wanita chief. “Since PAS’ general elections campaign was based on a welfare state, shouldn’t they embark on policies to alleviate the burden of families of retrenched workers rather than blaming the global economic turmoil as a reason to delay executing hudud laws?”

Earlier Husam Musa ignited fears among the non-Muslim community when he reiterated PAS’ promise to amend the Federal Constitution and implement hudud and qisas once the Opposition seized federal office. Mei Fun reminded Pakatan Rakyat that the Federal Constitution is the supreme law of the land which applies to all Malaysians. “Changing the Federal Constitution to include hudud and qisas elements will inevitably affect the lives of all Malaysians who are bound by the Federal Constitution.”

Meanwhile, Mei Fun pressed PKR de facto leader, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim to state his position on the debate. “He is still so silent after so long. This is a very serious matter. What is PKR’s position?”

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