Kuala Lumpur, Dec 22 - Setting the stage for a renewed public debate on the Islamic state issue, Datuk Seri Najib Razak today described Pas's promise to implement hudud, which prescribes amputation, whipping and stoning for criminal offences, as lacking in credibility.
The deputy prime minister dismissed Pas vice president Datuk Husam Musa's recent declaration that his party would implement hudud if it won federal power, pointing out that the statement was nothing new.
"This is not a new subject. In Kelantan, they did not implement hudud and even in Terengganu, it was also not implemented. So every time this issue arises, it is made into a political issue."
With the upcoming Kuala Terengganu by-election expected to see a keen contest, Husam's remarks about hudud may get the backing of some Malays but could lead to a backlash from non-Malay voters.
Husam's statement has already drawn strong criticisms from the party's own coalition partners. The DAP's Lim Kit Siang wrote in his blog today that "Hukum hudud is not Pakatan Rakyat policy and it is for Husam to clarify what he actually said."
"In the last election, PAS used the slogan welfare state. They did not bring up the issue of hudud but before that they did. Now it seems like the party leaders want to implement hudud,"
"This is a matter of credibility. Hudud is used as a political slogan only but nothing is implemented by them," said Najib.
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Najib, what do you think this is? Go ahead and nail the guy. This is blatant insubordination under your watch, bro. Rein him in before he starts to reign over you. Ha ha!
Peace, bro.