PAS On Hudud: PKR’s Faith Not Compromised

KUALA LUMPUR: Pas has declared that Parti Keadilan Rakyat youth has not compromised its faith or become infidel despite the latter’s stand to oppose the implementation of hudud (part of the Syariah Criminal Code ).

Pas Syura council deputy head Datuk Mahfodz Mohamed said this when asked of his views about PKR Youth’s public statement that hudud is not part of the Pakatan Rakyat agenda and wanted Pas to stop bringing up the issue.

It was pointed out to him that when Umno said hudud could not be implemented in Malaysia, Pas had declared infidels and had compromised its Islamic faith and as such, wouldn’t PKR Youth falls under a similar category.

To this, Mahfodz said: “The difference is PKR acknowledged that hudud is for Muslims but it might not be suitable for implementation if the interest of others is not consideredwithout considering others.”

Contacted by The Mole yesterday, Mahfodz further said: “One’s aqidah (faith) will only be weakened by rejecting hudud completely as Umno had done. It is not the same with PKR,” he added.

Mahfodz was commenting on a news report quoting PKR youth leader Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin that it is improper for Pas youth head Nasrudin Hasan Tantawi to bring the hudud issue again when the collective stance of Pakatan on hudud was made clear during their meeting last year.

Shamsul said: “I would like to advise Nasrudin to refer to our agreement late last year that hudud is not part of Pakatan Rakyat’s joint policy until all member parties agree to it.”

“DAP’s objection has to be respected and PR will continue to allow its members to air different views,” he said.

Responding to this statement, Mahfodz reiterated hudud has always been Pas’ struggle.

“There should be no question about Pas’ championing hudud and Islamic principles. We have never dropped it from our agenda,” he added.

“The only difference now is when we are with Pakatan we will have to work within our coalition’s consensus as well.”

The issue of hudud was brought in the spotlight again after DAP chairman Karpal Singh chided Nasruddin for stating that Karpal is ready to discuss on hudud law with Pas again during a live debate with Umno representative Fathul Bari Mat Jaya recently.

Pas spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat said yesterday the party would definitely implement hudud law although there were objections to this, including from DAP.

Nik Aziz said in the news report : “I don’t think I should mention this the second time, as it (the proposal) had been made a long time ago and everybody knows about it.”

Meanwhile Nasrudin when contacted said Pas will not be affected with people’s opinion on hudud.

“Whatever people say to us will not we weaken our spirit in this struggle,” Nasrudin said but refused to comment on Shamsul’s statement.

By: Azreen Hani, Graphics by: Dayang Norazhar/ The Mole

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