KOTA KINABALU: The proposed tabling of the Private Members’ Bill by PAS to implement hudud law in Kelantan has created unnecessary fear, that alone should indicate that this law cannot simply be bulldozed, said Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan.
The Parti Bersatu Sabah president said it was important to realize that hudud laws would restrict people’s freedom and capacity, laws that were particularly meant for Muslims.
He said the people lived in a muti-racial and multi-cultural society, where the freedom of religion was guaranteed under the Constitution.
“Therefore, whatever moves which will restrict the freedom of religion and impact the human rights of people in general, must be carefully considered before anything is implemented,” he said here yesterday.
Pairin, who is also Minister of Infrastructure Development, said the mention of the hudud law had created unnecessary fear, which should be an indication to those proposing the law (PAS) that this matter could not simply be bulldozed.
“Therefore, this (hudud law) is not welcomed in that perspective,” he added.
In the context of our multiracial society and the guarantee of the freedom of religion under the Constitution, Pairin said there was no need for any other type of laws, particularly the hudud law.
“Therefore, if it (hudud law) is introduced in the parliament, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) will not be in favour of that,” the PBS president said.
Pairin also rebutted claims that the government would possibly accept the implementation of hudud law, saying that it was preemptive to say so.
“Nothing has come to the government as such where we, as part of the government, are given notice to consider (hudud law),” he said.
Asked if he would take any action to stop the tabling of the hudud bill, Pairin said if they (PAS) complied with the ‘rules within the laws’ in tabling the bill, then it would be brought into the parliament.
“As individuals, we can’t stop them,” he said.