March 19, 2015 was a sad day for Pakatan Rakyat and Malaysia because the Kelantan state assembly had unanimously passed the controversial Hudud law with all 12 Umno and 1 PKR assemblymen giving their total support.
Although Hudud law implementation has always been PAS’ objective and that Muslims cannot oppose the law, I do not think that its implementation is suitable for a multi racial and multi religious nation like ours.
Pollster Merdeka Center said in a statement on March 16 that its survey on 1,008 voters interviewed over the telephone showed that 84% think the PAS-led Kelantan government should focus on post-flood reconstruction, rather than its Hudud law amendments. This is also the prevalent view of 81% Malay/Muslim respondents interviewed across the peninsula.
Let it be remembered that in the last two general elections where the opposition had won big, in the hands of Pakatan Rakyat voters held not only the ballot papers, but the trust they willingly put in to make a constructive impact to their nation's future. And Hudud law was never in the Pakatan Rakyat consensus or common policy.
Not taking heed of its political allies' strong and repeated objections, PAS' insistence to go ahead to table and subsequently pass the Hudud Bill constitutes a breach of trust to not only the political allies but also the supporters of Pakatan Rakyat.
In a nation of democracy, it is not quite adequate to simply attain the majority from the few dozens of lawmakers to implement a state-wide law enactment which brings much controversy without having consulted and obtained consensus from its political allies as well as the people. This is because, in a democracy, the people are sovereign—they are the highest authority—and government is based on the will of the people.
PAS’ rush and insistence to pass the Hudud Law is certainly baffling and disappointing.