NOT IN FAVOUR: Its chief, Shamsul Iskandar, on same wavelength as Karpal in opposing the Islamic law
(NST) - PARTI Keadilan Rakyat's Youth wing has chosen to side with DAP chairman Karpal Singh in opposing Pas' hudud aspirations.
Its chief, Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, yesterday warned his Pas counterpart, Nasrudin Hassan Tantawi, that he had opened a Pandora's box over his recent comment on the implementation of hudud, which had raised the ire of Karpal and other DAP members.
He said it was improper for Nasrudin to dredge up the longstanding issue as he claimed that the stance of the alliance between PKR, DAP and Pas on the Islamic criminal law was clear.
"I would like to advise Nasrudin to refer to our agreement late last year that hudud is not part of Pakatan Rakyat's joint policy until all member parties agree to it."
Shamsul Iskandar added that close to 30 top opposition party leaders had met for over three hours on Sept 29, last year to resolve the deep-rooted hudud issue, which has seen DAP and Pas repeatedly at loggerheads.
"DAP's objection has to be respected and PR will continue to allow its members to air different views," he said.
On Friday, Karpal had expressed displeasure upon learning that Nasrudin had, during a political debate, suggested that he was willing to consider hudud for the country.
Hudud is a term used in Syariah to describe the class of punishment for certain crimes such as theft, fornication and adultery, consumption of alcohol and other intoxicants and apostasy.
Nasrudin had uttered the remark during a debate with Umno Working Committee Secretariat of Young Ulama chairman Fathul Bari Mat Jahaya.
The debate on Thursday, titled "PRU13: Orang Muda Pilih Siapa", was organised by the tabloid, Sinar Harian.
Karpal had also asked Pas leaders to keep its "members in the lower ranks" in check, and urged them to pursue the welfare state, an ideal endorsed by the DAP, PKR and Pas alliance.
He had also claimed that Pas had abandoned its aspirations to set up an Islamic state and implement Islamic laws in the country as a trade-off for its cooperation with DAP and PKR.
On Monday, however, Pas syura council member Datuk Dr Mahfodz Mohamed refuted Karpal's statement and said having Islamic laws and setting up an Islamic state were still high on Pas's agenda.
Pas Youth deputy chief Dr Raja Ahmad Al Hiss yesterday said he did not want the dispute between Karpal and Nasrudin to interfere with preparations for the elections.
"Since the general election is approaching, Pas does not want to get distracted as we want to stay committed to ensuring Pakatan Rakyat's victory and capturing Putrajaya," he said in a text message yesterday.
Meanwhile, MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong challenged senior PKR and DAP leaders to state their stand on hudud and to "chastise Pas" over its plan to implement Islamic laws in the country.
"If PKR is for the creation of a welfare state, does that mean it is for or against hudud, considering the fact that its leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, had voiced his support for hudud?" Wee asked in a statement here yesterday.
"So far, Karpal has been a lone ranger in speaking against hudud. (Are) the DAP office-bearers distancing themselves from their chairman?"
Wee's deputy, Dr Mah Hang Soon, said the opposing viewpoints between DAP and Pas were "embarrassingly inconsistent".
"Karpal cannot confidently say that Pas gave up on the creation of an Islamic state in favour of a welfare state if Nasrudin publicly declares otherwise and has the support of a Pas Syura council member."
