Hadi’s bill seeks amendments to the Shariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdictions) Act 1965 or Act 355 so shariah courts can impose harsher sentences except death.
“We must reject any law they seek to pass because they are not just and fair leaders,” Zaid said of Umno and PAS leaders, who he accused of being arrogant and hypocritical because they used their positions of power to protect themselves from criminal charges.
“They also abuse their power to enrich themselves, either by stealing cash or stealing timber from forests reserves,” he said, adding that they thought nothing of arresting or charging others, like himself, who asked questions about their conduct.
He said the Quran detested hypocrites, pretenders and liars and demanded instead honesty and integrity from leaders in a community, who should live simple lives and “not get paid for spreading the religion.”
“Today we have corrupt and dishonest leaders, and they are the ones pushing for hudud law—but they are not fit to qualify as Muslim leaders, so they are not fit to implement hudud,” he argued.
He also condemned the shabby treatment of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who has been denied a police escort when he travels, and alleged it was simply because the veteran politician criticised Prime Minister Najib Razak.
He said the state government had also issued a circular prohibiting anyone in government or government-linked companies from helping or being involved with Amanah while doing the same with PAS was allowed.
Zaid cautioned that if Hadi’s bill was passed, these same double standards would prevail and while the general public and members of the political Opposition would have their hands cut off for stealing, or face stoning for sexual offences, certain Muslim leaders would get off scot free. “Their theft will be protected by the Official Secrets Act,” Zaid said and “PAS and Umno will protect their own people” when it came to sexual offences.
“This is the sort of double standard that PAS has adopted, and they learn these tricks from Umno. Both parties are hypocrites.
“Umno and PAS leaders are therefore not qualified to implement hudud or to pass the Hadi Bill in Parliament. They have no sense of what is just and fair, and they are an arrogant bunch of hopeless leaders.”