Dr Mahathir should keep views on hudud to himself, says Muslim youth group

  

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had shared his views on issues related to shariah law on Astro Awani, which earned a rebuke from the Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia today. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, April 22, 2014.

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad should be careful before making statements about shariah law because it could lead to Islam being viewed in a negative light, the Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (Abim) said today.

Abim president Amidi Abdul Manan said the country’s longest-serving prime minister should be more careful about giving his views on issues related to shariah.

Amidi was referring to an interview on Astro Awani featuring Dr Mahathir on April 17, regarding the implementation of the Shariah Criminal Enactment 2 in Kelantan.

Amidi said Dr Mahathir had said it was unfair if different punishments were meted out to criminals for the same crime as it could cause confusion.

Dr Mahathir had given an example that many Muslims would be handicapped if their hands were cut off for stealing.

However, if non-Muslims were caught for theft, they were sentenced to two months’ jail, a far cry from having their hands cut off.

"Dr Mahathir appears to want to portray Islamic laws as being heavy, illogical and cruel."

Amidi said Dr Mahathir should understand that under hudud, the burden of proof was based on the principle of “beyond the shadow of a doubt”.

"This is far beyond the principle of 'beyond reasonable doubt' (in secular law) and at the same time, guarantees the rights of the accused.

"At the same time, it is also a warning and education to society. The beauty of Islamic law lies in the court process, proof and its administration," Amidi said.

He said Dr Mahathir's statement, which focused on the punishment meted, could create a negative perception towards hudud.

Amidi also took umbrage at Dr Mahathir's statement that punishment for adulterers was not contained in the Quran but only in the Hadith.

"It is clear that Dr Mahathir's statement is confusing and an attempt to deny that punishment for adulterers was not part of Islamic penalties.

"Dr Mahathir is also questioning the position of the Hadith as the next source of penalties meted out after the Quran.

"The Hadith is clearly the second source of penalties after the Quran with a firm commitment from Muslims about our undivided loyalty and obedience.

"So any confessions, admissions or behaviour is a manifestation of the Quran," Amidi said.

Abim said it was better if Dr Mahathir kept his thoughts on hudud to himself.

"This is for the good of Islam, as issuing statements which were inaccurate and wide off the mark merely puts the religion in a bad light.

"While Abim respects Dr Mahathir's past efforts to promote and lift Islam to greater heights, his recent comments are dangerous and confusing."

It is better if Dr Mahathir retracted his comments and statements, said Abim.

The deputy president of PAS Mohamad Sabu in commenting about the late Karpal Singh’s death and defending him said it was Dr Mahathir who had insulted the religion by belittling hudud, or the shariah punishment for serious crimes, adding that Karpal had never insulted the Islamic laws but merely defended the Federal Constitution.

“I am perplexed why Muslims react this way when it was Muslims themselves who insulted hudud, such as the statement by the former prime minister that if hudud was implemented in Kelantan, many Muslims would lose their limbs," Mohamad, better known as Mat Sabu, told The Malaysian Insider in a recent interview.

“Karpal had never insulted (hudud). He had only said that it was against the Constitution," said Mat Sabu.

Mat Sabu said he could not understand why Umno leaders who had come out strongly in opposition to PAS's plan to implement hudud in Kelantan had kept silent over Dr Mahathir's remarks.

“Why is it that when Muslims insulted hudud, I never heard any sharp comments from Umno leaders and the muftis?" – April 22, 2014.