PETALING JAYA: The Private Member’s Bill presented in Parliament by the president of PAS last week will still allow for other heavy “hudud-like” punishments to be meted out, such as 100 lashings for adultery and the amputation of hands for theft, said G25 today.

The group of senior Malay civil servants said this when arguing against a statement by Prime Minister Najib Razak that the bill presented by Abdul Hadi Awang to amend the Shariah Court Act (Criminal Jurisdiction) 1965, had nothing to do with the implementation of hudud in Kelantan.

“The Kelantan state legislative assembly had in 2015 approved the Shariah Criminal Code II (1993) 2015.

“This law allows hudud-like punishments for crimes such as adultery, theft, robbery, sodomy, consumption of alcohol and apostasy,” the group pointed out.

The group of moderate Malays also said PAS should focus on enhancing the welfare of Kelantan folks since it was one of the poorest states in Peninsular Malaysia, instead of chasing after the hudud agenda.

“I’m sure the Kelantan state government does not need to be reminded that Prophet Muhammad prioritised the welfare of the people and was not obsessed with an administration centred on punishments.

“Malaysia comprises people of various races, religions and cultures. Therefore, hudud does not belong here and it would not be accepted by the majority of Malaysians.”