Prophet never labelled anyone, Hanipa tells 'intolerant' PAS

Sepang MP Mohd Hanipa Maidin has criticised PAS labelling its critics as infidels as improper.

Hanipa, who is also Parti Amanah Negara legal bureau chief, in his first official statement since suffering a stroke said he supports Penang mufti Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor's view expressed yesterday criticising PAS leaders' penchant for labelling others.

This was after Padang Serai PAS chief Shaharuddin Ibrahim in a sermon called Opposition Leader Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail an infidel for disagreeing with PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang's Private Member's Bill to implement hudud.

"Even Prophet Muhammad did not label anyone, who are we (as his followers) to label others?

"This is why some, like me, decided to leave PAS for Amanah due to this culture of wanting to label others.

"I support the Penang mufti's view and the people should accept it," he told Malaysiakini.

Hanipa, a lawyer, said he is in agreement there are several weaknesses in Hadi's proposed amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965, or Act 355 that would remove the obstacles for Kelantan to start meting out hudud punishments.

Hanipa said a person who introduces a bill should allow and listen to criticisms to further strengthen a legislation that is to be introduced, and not label people who disagree with it.

"This is the logical way, as in any amendment or new legislating there are bound to be weaknesses.

"While I was in PAS I noticed this (intolerance to alternate views). Such extreme views should stop and PAS leaders should accept criticisms," he said.

'Bill not Allah's law'

It was reported that Shaharuddin had delivered a sermon saying PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail should be buried in a non-Muslim cemetery if she does not support the amendment to Hadi's bill

Wan Salim had criticised the PAS leader, saying, "I am saddened there are certain religious leaders in the country who conveniently label other Muslims as infidels simply because of disagreement over the private member's bill to strengthen the Syariah courts."

Wan Salim said there was a parliamentary process to follow, and one should not force any MP to accept the Act 355 amendment bill using means including threats and saying their faith would be affected.

"It is compulsory for Muslims to accept Allah's laws which are sacred, but the Act 355 amendment bill is not Allah's law," he said.-Mkini