KUALA LUMPUR: Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang has lashed back at critics over his contentious hudud-linked private member's bill, which is expected to be tabled this week.
Referring to a Malay Mail Online report in which the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST), had called for parliamentarians to reject amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (Act 355) as proposed by the bill, Hadi told the group to respect the rights of Muslims to empower Islamic religious laws.
"I urge those behind the statement (by MCCBCHST) to return to the Article 3(1) of the Federal Constitution, which stipulates Islam is the religion of the Federation; but other religions may be practised in peace and harmony in any part of the Federation.
"Hence it is the rights of Muslims to practice their religion without interference, as we too, respect the position of non-Muslims to practice their respective religion," said Hadi in a statement.
Hadi told the group to view Islam constructively, rather than through the lens of Daesh or the Islamic State as propagated by the West.
"I also call on the members of this group (MCCBCHST) to return to their respective holy books, study the contents on law, compare them to Islam, hudud and the legacy left by our colonial masters. Please show it to us (of your findings).
"Do not cross the line (even if you are) against us Muslims, and Islam."
Various political parties and social movements have called for lawmakers to reject the private member's bill, which they claim to pay way to the implementation of Islamic corporal punishment.