G25: No place for PAS' hudud in moderate Malaysia

PETALING JAYA: The implementation of PAS’ hudud will indicate to the world that Malaysia has abandoned its moderate path, said a group of prominent Malays, dubbed G25.

“The Prime Minister has continued to steer the Government along this path and has launched the Global Movement of Moderates to show to the world that the country is committed to the principle of moderation.

“The imposition of PAS’ hudud laws will signify to the world that Malaysia has abandoned the moderate path.

“We will be seen as a country governed by religious laws which are subjected to the vagaries of interpretation of the ulama who are also fallible human beings,” said the group of retired civil servants in a statement on Wednesday.

The group further expressed its concerns as to whether hudud would succeed in upholding justice.

“A perusal of the 2015 Hudud Enactment of Kelantan reveals that it has retained the emphasis on punishment rather than repentance and rehabilitation as enjoined in the Quran,” the group said in a statement on Wednesday.

The group quoted World Union of Muslim Scholars chairman Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi that problems would arise when hudud is enforced before the conditions for its application are met.

Yusuf had said that society must first ensure the economic needs of the people are met, employment opportunities for all are provided, and poverty is eradicated.

“In light of the above elucidation, can any state in Malaysia claim to have satisfied the preconditions in order to allow for the implementation of hudud?” the group said.