Despite the continuing assault from MCA to alienate Chinese voters from supporting PAS, the Islamic party's president Abdul Hadi Awang reiterates that hudud is still part of the PAS' struggle, but the welfare state concept will be its focus for the coming general election.
In an exclusive interview published by Chinese newspaper Oriental Daily News today, Hadi stressed that hudud has always been a part of the PAS political ideology.
On DAP's strong resistance to hudud, he said the dispute would be addressed through dialogues and he hoped the Chinese-dominant secular party would eventually be convinced.
"PAS and DAP still have a huge difference in opinion on hudud, but both sides will have frequent dialogues. This difference will not affect our relationship," Hadi said, adding that both parties respect each other's stance on this issue.
In an exclusive interview published by Chinese newspaper Oriental Daily News today, Hadi stressed that hudud has always been a part of the PAS political ideology.
On DAP's strong resistance to hudud, he said the dispute would be addressed through dialogues and he hoped the Chinese-dominant secular party would eventually be convinced.
"PAS and DAP still have a huge difference in opinion on hudud, but both sides will have frequent dialogues. This difference will not affect our relationship," Hadi said, adding that both parties respect each other's stance on this issue.
Federal government thwarting hudud
Under the spirit of federalism, the Marang MP said, PAS has been aspiring to implement hudud in Kelantan and Terengganu, since religious affairs come within the jurisdiction of the state government.
However, PAS' efforts in both east coast states have been thwarted by the federal government led by BN.
Should hudud be implemented after Pakatan Rakyat captures Putrajaya, its implementation would follow the federal constitution, Hadi (left)said, and non-Muslims could choose whether they wanted to be subjected to Islamic or civil law.
"But, I believe, being the victims of robbery and crimes for so long, non-Muslim Chinese would see the failure of the current British laws and accept (hudud). However, we will not force them."
Nevertheless, PAS would use the welfare state concept of fair treatment for all races and preserve the rights of all religions as its manifesto in the next general election because this is widely accepted by the people, Hadi added.
Under the spirit of federalism, the Marang MP said, PAS has been aspiring to implement hudud in Kelantan and Terengganu, since religious affairs come within the jurisdiction of the state government.
However, PAS' efforts in both east coast states have been thwarted by the federal government led by BN.Should hudud be implemented after Pakatan Rakyat captures Putrajaya, its implementation would follow the federal constitution, Hadi (left)said, and non-Muslims could choose whether they wanted to be subjected to Islamic or civil law.
"But, I believe, being the victims of robbery and crimes for so long, non-Muslim Chinese would see the failure of the current British laws and accept (hudud). However, we will not force them."
Nevertheless, PAS would use the welfare state concept of fair treatment for all races and preserve the rights of all religions as its manifesto in the next general election because this is widely accepted by the people, Hadi added.
This Oriental Daily News interview was published a day after DAP chairperson Karpal Singh pleaded for a halt to the on-going public debate over the implementation of the Islamic jurisprudence between his party and PAS.
He urged PAS leaders to refrain from making statements about the issue, saying it was a clear contradiction to the current laws of the land and the federal constitution.
Chinese are kingmakers in Kedah
Asked about PAS' chance of retaining Kedah in the coming general election, Hadi said Chinese voters would be the kingmakers.
He explained that PAS won in many state seats only with a small margin, hence support from Chinese was crucial, even though they were not the majority.
He pointed out that Kedah Umno has split into several factions, with no leader to unite them, hence the party was forced to pick deputy international trade and industry minister Mukhriz Mahathir to be the menteri besar – if the BN won back Kedah.
He urged PAS leaders to refrain from making statements about the issue, saying it was a clear contradiction to the current laws of the land and the federal constitution.
Chinese are kingmakers in Kedah
Asked about PAS' chance of retaining Kedah in the coming general election, Hadi said Chinese voters would be the kingmakers.
He explained that PAS won in many state seats only with a small margin, hence support from Chinese was crucial, even though they were not the majority.
He pointed out that Kedah Umno has split into several factions, with no leader to unite them, hence the party was forced to pick deputy international trade and industry minister Mukhriz Mahathir to be the menteri besar – if the BN won back Kedah.
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