HUDUD & OIL PRICE SLUMP: Twin blows poised to destroy Malaysia's economy

Islamic political party PAS’s preoccupation and fixation on Hudud laws has always been a bane for politics in this country. One thing we know for certain; other than UMNO and BN who were once staunch opponents of Hudud and successfully blocked its implementation in Kelantan for the last 3 decades, coalition partners PKR and DAP also wants no part in the controversial bill.

Past Prime Ministers have always voiced their objections against Hudud, save for our current lame, pious and flip-flop Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak who says that Umno is not against Pas’s version of Hudud; and that too is because he thinks that with BN’s current dilemma, Hudud could prove to be the wild card for BN to regain its two thirds majority.

PAS is falling into a trap

Pas is jubilantly trying its luck again to table the elusive Hudud enactments based on the suggestion of some Umno leaders who were willing to support the controversial enactment as the means to an end that may finally split the formidable Pakatan Alliance.

PM Najib Tun Razak

So Pas is again taking Umno’s bait, hook, line and sinker and falling headlong into Umno’s trap without giving it another thought. Splitting the coalition is the last thing on Pas’s stubborn mind, in their endeavour to prove to the world or to Kelantan folks that they can implement an Islamic State within a state.

It is Pas’s utter desperation to resuscitate the party and consolidate its power base that has led PAS to connive with its arch enemy whom they once branded as ‘kafirs’ (infidels). Under Pas President Hadi Awang, Pas has already lost Terengganu, Kedah and Perak in the past and if they ever lose Kelantan one day; PAS would be left high and dry, lingering in a political limbo.

PAS’s Hudud move will ultimately pave the way for Pas to unite with Umno, as PKR and DAP would sack them from the party. But PAS should be more worried that they will be the next MCA or Gelakan, although Umno will pretend to give them more face than these two spineless parties.

Many people believe that the dire consequences when Hudud is eventually implemented; will one day “kelantanise” the whole of Malaysia. Under two sets of laws, the country may buckle under with a breakdown of law and order making it more untenable for the different races to coexist in peace and harmony. The day will come, when we won’t be very much different from countries like Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Sudan.

Time’s up for PAS

The true colours of the Pas President Hadi Awang have manifested itself during the Selangor MB Saga, with Opposition supporters reeling in shock at the unbelievable drama that unfolded before them which reeked of utter betrayal and lies. Not only did Pas try to hijack the MB’s seat but it also humiliated PKR President Wan Azizah in the process.

Pakatan supporters were in unison to demand that Pas leave the Pakatan Coalition without further delay, but until today Pas continues to drag its feet pondering its limited options. High level talks to solve the impasse between the coalition partners were initiated, but no one sincerely believes that an amicable solution is in sight, with Pas acting so out of character.

Internal bickering in the open

DAP has always insisted that Malaysia is secular and has repeatedly demanded that PAS shelve its plans in Kelantan, as Hudud is not part of the Pakatan Rakyat pact's common policy framework.

It would be better for Dap to lose the election then to continue with the charade, as it will be disastrous to continue with PAS, if Hadi is still around.

While DAP is crying foul over PAS's plan to go ahead with the implementation of Hudud, PKR is taking a cautious stand by requesting to see the draft of the proposed amendment to the state Islamic laws, but the Islamist party insists that its content be kept secret despite Kelantan's special assembly meeting being just a couple of days away.

But why the need for secrecy and why must PKR exercise caution? Has PKR forgotten how PAS played them out big time in the Selangor MB tussle?

PKR cannot afford to be neutral or show caution for fear of a coalition break up, but need to put their foot down and oppose the Hudud enactments outright. PKR must stick to its principle to be a party for all Malaysians, regardless of racial origins and religions or risk a break up within the party itself.

.PKR should stop mixing religion with politics, and do the necessary even if it appears unpopular. A cautious or neutral stand simply means that the Pakatan Coalition has made a mockery of voters' trust in their Buku Jingga manifesto.

It also means that, PR have made a mockery of the thousands of brave souls that marched in the various Bersih rallies, getting tear gassed and chased by the police and a mockery of those who braved the Black 505 rallies.

It is quite clear that PAS is already colluding with UMNO to turn Malaysia into an Islamic state, agreeing to the delineation exercise (according to race composition) including an increase in seats. Even some PKR MP’s seem to be with PAS on the hudud issue.

An if the Muslim MP’s in PKR and DAP still cannot see through PAS’s white lie, that Muslims cannot reject voting for Hudud, then PR should collect all available copies of the Buku Jingga and flush them down the toilet.

Forget about Umno MP’s as they are a lost cause. When will these Muslim MP’s ever learn that they do have a choice, and when did they lose their sense of pride? Having 112 Muslim MP’s voting aye for Pas’s version of Hudud laws would be the country’s biggest joke.

Pakatan Rakyat must act before investors bail out

DAP and PKR needs to get its act together and confront PAS. If they do not back down, sacking them would be a blessing in disguise. It would send UMNO and PAS a message that Pakatan Rakyat will continue to remain intact. PR can start identifying and training new leaders to contest in all seats currently held by PAS. If PAS has not united with UMNO by then, it will be a three cornered fight, but who knows what the future may bring?

Isn't it about time to ask BN component parties, how they position themselves if UMNO joins forces with PAS to pass the HUDUD bill? At least 10 component parties have lesser Muslim members; so what would their response be? Will they stick around, especially parties like MCA and Gerakan to share the cake?

A neutral or cautious response to the current impasse for fear of breaking up, is incredibly sad to hear from a coalition that espouses change.

Instead, we should channel our fears to what may happen to our fragile economy if the Hudud bill is pushed through. We cannot begin to comprehend the devastating effect it will have on foreign investments or Tourism which is a major industry in terms of foreign exchange.

This is no joke, coming hot on the heels of the global oil price scare. With world oil at less than half its price about a year ago, Putrajaya as well as Malaysian GLCs such as Petronas will find their cash-flow severely crimped. Those with heavy foreign currency borrowings will face problems servicing their debts. It is no exaggeration to warn of a financial crisis such as that which happened in 1998.

Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had admitted that enforcing hudud was problematic, but instead of beating around the bush; he should just voice out his rejection as Hudud is not part of the Pakatan Rakyat pact's common policy framework. - MAILBAG