Barisan must do the right thing in hudud issue – S. Vell Paari

I am against the move to implement Islamic criminal law in Kelantan. For one, it runs ultra vires to the Federal Constitution.

I also view with caution the justification that non-Muslims would not be affected by this law and therefore should not complain.

Even in the absence of hudud, recent developments have shown how non-Muslims have been at the losing end.

The custodial battles between non-Muslims and their Muslim convert spouses are clear examples. In such cases, even the police have refused to enforce a civil court order.

We now have a 14-year-old boy lying in a hospital bed for ingesting paraquat because of such religious tussles.

So what guarantee is there that later, the hudud laws would not be extended to non-Muslims as well? Are we expected to seek redress in a civil court after having one of our limbs amputated?

It is often pointed out that the Federal Constitution safeguards the rights of non-Muslims, but many have acted in blatant contempt of the Constitution.

People like Ridhuan Tee Abdullah seem to possess a sense of immunity when running down other races, sowing the seeds of discord in this nation.

I call on all in Barisan Nasional to make a clear stand on this issue and to do the right thing for all Malaysians.

I believe this is one of those instances when BN must stamp its mark and show the nation that we are serious about Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's vision of 1Malaysia.

* Datuk Seri S. Vell Paari is the Kepong MIC division chairman.