Islam is For All To Understand...

Wednesday January 21, 2009

Review hudud, PAS told

By SIMON KHOO

KUANTAN: PAS should review its policies particularly those involving hudud laws to suit the multi-racial society of Malaysia, MCA central committee member Datuk Ti Lian Ker said.

In taking the cue from the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary constituency by-election, Ti said that Chinese voters had sent a clear signal that they were against PAS’ implementation of hudud laws.

“The majority of the Chinese community are against hudud laws being implemented.

“PAS should take heed and adopt a more liberal policy in line with the country’s plural society,” he said in an interview here.

Ti said, since he issued a statement on the issue as reported in The Star on Jan 16, he had received much feedback.

He said that some people told him to stop harping on the matter and bombarded him with accusations of encroaching into Islam although he was a non-Muslim.

“I appeal to all Muslims not to treat Islam and its teachings as exclusive and kafir (infidels) are forbidden to ask questions.

“Non-Muslims should not be prevented to raise queries or seek answers when they are confused,” he stressed.

Ti said that the intention of PAS to introduce hudud was no secret.

As such, he said that non-Muslims must be allowed and encouraged to seek clarifications so that they could know what was in store for them.

“We should not be bullied into silence.

“The issues and conflicts of law arising from hudud must be open for discussion in a warm and friendly manner to promote better understanding of Islam,” he said.

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2009/1/21/southneast/3059923&sec=southneast