Hudud: Don't be emotional, Pakatan told
Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Mansor Othman has called for emotions to be put aside when dealing with the sensitive issue of hudud law, which is currently threatening to split the Pakatan Rakyat.
The issue surrounding the law has been raised time and again to challenge the individual stand of Pakatan allies, with DAP and PAS at loggerheads on the matter.
Mansor (left), who is state PKR chief, said rational thought should always come first, before any attempt is made to talk about or discuss the Muslim law, which the Kelantan government is planning to implement.
He said the controversy surrounding hudud, which Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Aziz Nik Mat wants to incoporate in the syariah court system, was nothing new, and the problem has existed long before Pakatan was formed.
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim turned the tables on Umno instead, and accused the of “hypocrisy” in playing up the issue in front of non-Muslim audiences while attacking Pakatan as “traitors to their religion” for “consorting with non-Muslims”.
“We have been witnessing the same conflict before. I urge everyone to put aside their emotions and be rational in discussing the matter,” Nawar told Malaysiakini.
Recently, Nik Aziz, who is PAS spiritual leader, said he was prepared to continue with the decision to see hudud law implemented, even if DAP leaves Pakatan.
DAP, on the other hand, has retaliated by saying that it was ready to leave Pakatan if PAS continued to be adamant about implementing hudud, as it was never agreed to in the Buku Jingga, the coalition's common policy framework.
The secular party had quit the Barisan Alternatif opposition coalition in 2001, at the height of the Sarawak election, and the latter suffered its worst defeat in the 2004 general election.
Mansor, who is Penanti assemblyperson, said the implementation of the controversial law should be discussed at the table among Pakatan alllies before any action is taken.
Inappropriate to continue being 'trapped'
He said it was inappropriate for Pakatan to continue being “trapped” whenever the issue was raised, especially in the media.
“It is time we realise that the rakayat has placed such big hopes, trust and responsibilities on our shoulders,” he said.
“I hope the Pakatan leaders meeting on Sept 28, this Wednesday, will be used properly to find the best opportunity to ensure that the hopes of the rakyat to see a better Malaysia can be implemented,” he added.
Mansor said the people's choice to discontinue supporting the Barisan Nasional resulted in Pakatan governing four states following the 2008 general election.
Within the three years, Pakatan has recorded many successes in these states, which has made brought the people happiness.
However, he warned against being “too complacent” and urged Pakatan leaders to continue providing the best services to the people.
“We must also realise that the people's hope in us is as high as the mountain that we become, as a viable alternative to BN,” he added.
