Hudud is the hot topic now, and it is a distraction because the nation has more important issues to discuss, like 1MDB, corruption, the GST and the plight of the flood victims.
Your rights.
If you are Malaysian, you have a right to express an opinion about what happens in your country; but the bigots will tell the non-Muslims, “Do not poke your noses in our religion. We don’t interfere in yours!”
Would these people care to explain how religious authorities can snatch the bodies of non-Muslims from funeral parlours, stop weddings, kidnap children from their parents?
Then, when a Muslim speaks out , he is told that as he did not read Islam at university level, therefore he is not qualified to speak about the subject. The truth is, these bigots just do not know how to have an intelligent discussion.
Two-tiered system of justice
We already have a two tiered system of justice and it is a mess. If and when hudud is introduced, who can guarantee that it will not affect the non-Malays?
Religious and race based political parties, like Umno-Baru and PAS are trying to islamise their respective parties.
Soon, islamisation will creep into the lives of the non-Malays and non-Muslims. Last month, in Iraq, archaelogical treasures dating back several hundreds of years, were destroyed by Islamic State (IS).
Some years ago, historical and cultural treasures, like the Bamiyan statues in Afghanistan and the ancient Sufi shrines in Timbuktu, Mali were destroyed because they were perceived as idols.
Back in Malaysia, one retired judge criticised the large statues outside Batu Caves and the Buddhist temples in Penang. What is this man suggesting?
The women of Afghanistan have to fight for the right to an education. Saudi women are banned from driving. The women and children of these countries are frequently abused. The Muslim countries with hudud are not free of rape, incest, adultery or corruption.
Do you know of any strict Muslim countries where the people are not oppressed or are not trying to escape to the West and claim asylum?
Divorced Malay women confide that Syariah laws are discriminatory. Many of them fought expensive and time-consuming battles to get what is rightfully theirs, but most gave up halfway.
First wives complain that their husbands marry again without first obtaining their permission. Men look for loopholes in Syariah laws whilst women claim that the laws are poorly enforced. A fine of a thousand ringgit for the men is not a deterrent.
There have been several miscarriages of justice, so it would be wrong to consider hudud. Once a limb is gone, it cannot be regrown.
Malays and religious indoctrination
Most sane and civilised people do things without suffering consequences, unlike the Malays.
Malay religious indoctrination is reinforced at Friday prayers, where they are forced to listen to political rather than community-based sermons.
Umno-Baru keeps harping on about being the only party which can protect the Malays.
Protect them from what? Umno-Baru politicians say this because they are anxious about Malays rejecting Umno-Baru and joining PAS, thus diluting the Malay vote.
It is all about votes. Votes mean power (to dictate terms), control (of businesses) and money (to siphon off).
Consequences of Hudud
Hudud will signal the end of Malaysia as we know it. In 2001, Mahathir declared Malaysia to be an Islamic state. He is wrong. Malaysia is not an Islamic state. It is a secular state.
PAS is playing a dangerous game when promoting the implementation of hudud. Malays who disagree with hudud will rush into the arms of Umno-Baru. Both the Malays and non-Malays must oppose hudud.
We cannot tackle large scale, open corruption, cheating and murder. Our judiciary is compromised. And yet some of us want hudud for crimes covering theft, fornication, adultery and alcohol consumption.
Are we to end up like Iran or Afghanistan, with public hangings or stoning in which people are seen lusting for more blood and violence? Countries with hudud have not stopped rapes or adultery.
Let’s go to the nation and have a referendum on hudud. Let’s have a proper debate, covering all the major stakeholders, like bankers, investors, human rights NGOs, educationists; and then let the people decide.
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