Amidst concerns by various sections of Malaysia’s multiracial community on the ongoing muqabalah talks between PAS and UMNO, it does not come as a major surprise when PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat announced in a press conference today that PAS proposes to implement hudud and qisas laws, among other things in the country should the PAS-UMNO merger become a reality.

“I am disappointed and gravely concerned with Nik Aziz’s statement to implement hudud and qisas laws as it would mean the creation of a theocratic Islamic state. PAS must bear in mind that Malaysia is a multiracial country, and we must always go back to the Federal Constitution as the supreme law of the land that enshrines the rights of every Malaysian citizen. I urge UMNO to object against PAS’ proposal as it is a matter of principle,” said MCA Youth Secretary General YB Dr Ir Wee Ka Siong.

The Deputy Minister of Education who is also the Member of Parliament for Ayer Hitam added that “PAS has never wavered from their theocratic Islamic state concept which MCA has consistently objected against. There were occasions after the March 8^th, 2008 elections whenseveral PAS leaders had openly spoken about changing the nation’s Federal Constitution into one based on hudud should PAS ever seize federal power.”

During the 12^th General Elections, PAS played down its hudud laws image which during the 2004 General Elections repulsed voters away from PAS as they feared Malaysia would be turned into a theocratic Islamic state. In 2008, PAS promoted a concept of a welfare state which they wanted to present to the electorate as more embracive and attractive compared to the draconian hudud laws but the latest proposal by Nik Aziz is evidence that PAS is staunchly in favour of an Islamic state which includes the imposition of hudud and qisas laws on non-Muslims which has Ka Siong describes as “totally unacceptable by MCA.”

-MCA online-