Kelantan Umno MPs to support hudud bill

The New Straits Times 

JELI: Umno members of parliament from Kelantan will support a private bill to be tabled at Parliament by the Kelantan government to seek a declaration so that the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Code Enactment II, or hudud, can be implemented, said state Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.

The international trade and industry minister said it was their duty as Muslims to support the implementation of syariah in the state.

"However, we have to bring it to the Umno supreme council for discussions.

"We must have a joint agreement so that the bill can be supported by all," he said after opening the annual general meeting of the Kelantan Education Department welfare unit at SMK Jeli here yesterday.

Mustapa was commenting on a statement by Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob that Kelantan would table a private bill in Parliament this year to seek a declaration so that the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Code Enactment II can be implemented in the state.

Ahmad had said the state government would select a suitable session to table the bill.

Mustapa said Umno had expected the move by the Pas-led state government and there was no reason for it not to support the bill.

"The important thing is the facilities for the implementation of the law should be ready so that it runs well when it is implemented. There is also a need to educate the people so that they will understand it.

"Education and dakwah (preaching) is important as even some MPs are not well-versed about it."