Musa Hitam: Umno must make clear stand on Kelantan hudud

PETALING JAYA: Umno must make a clear stand on the implementation of hudud in Kelantan, former deputy prime minister Tun Musa Hitam said.

“Umno must take a firm stand. This national issue has very long implications to the country, both domestically and internationally,” Musa said in a statement yesterday.

“From the beginning, I have personally felt that hudud was not suitable for our country.

“As a former Umno leader, I strongly believe that since its establishment until today, Umno’s stance has also been that hudud is not suitable for a multi-religious, multiracial country like Malaysia,” said Musa, who is currently in Cordoba, Spain for the World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) roundtable session.

He also said the opposition parties should not pretend like they do not know anything about it.

Musa said the people should not be surprised or shocked with PAS’s hudud bill, as they have been championing it for a long time.

“If I am wrong about it, then Umno should state their stand as soon as possible. This issue is important and should not be brushed aside,” he added.

On Thursday, the Kelantan legislative assembly passed amendments to the Syariah Criminal Code II 1993.

The vote was passed unanimously by 44 assemblymen comprising 31 from PAS, 12 from Umno and one from PKR.