Hudud: Mental readiness crucial before law can be implemented - academician

The day of reckoning has arrived.

Today, PAS will table the proposed amendments to the Syariah Criminal Code (II) Enactment, Kelantan, 1993 or hudud at the State Legislative Assembly in Kota Bharu, Kelantan.

The question remains if the folks in Kelantan are ready to welcome the controversial hudud law with open arms? Not only that, the proposition to table the bill had received repeated objection from PAS allies particularly DAP.

In a recent development, Bernama reported that PKR itself hold the views that there should not be any urgency for the implementation of hudud law since it is not a component of common policy framework of the Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

PKR vice-president Mohamed Azmin Ali on Tuesday was quoted as saying that the joint act agreed upon by DAP and PAS constitutes the economy, education and security.

Azmin, who is also the Menteri Besar Selangor had also stated that PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang had voiced similar stand back in 2010.

International Islamic University Law and Constitutional lecturer, Associate Professor Dr Shamrahayu Abd Aziz said that the implementation of hudud law must be coherently adjusted to the Constitution before discussions on its enforcement take place.

“For me, it is still a winding road from its implementation as there is a need to look at its infrastructure, and that a court must be made available exclusively for the law,” said Shamrahayu when contacted by Astro AWANI on Tuesday.

Dr Shamrahayu said Muslims should not fear hudud law adding that they should instead equip themselves with mental strength to accept the law. The Kelantan government, she added holds huge responsibility to change the mindsets of the rakyat in the State.

“Mental readiness is crucial especially after the hudud law is implemented,” she said.

Shamrahayu voiced her concern that the implementation of the law would defame the judiciary practiced in Islam leading to certain quarters ridiculing the religion.

The crisis between PAS and DAP happened after several DAP chiefs urged the Islamic party to reconsider tabling the amendments.

The Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V on Monday, however had expressed support towards the state government’s plans to implement the hudud law.

He said this during a Royal address during the opening of the Third Term of the 13th State Assembly sitting on Monday.

Political observers have made early predictions that it will be an easy passage for the bill to be passed especially with the Kelantan Ruler’s backing.