The non-Muslim Barisan Nasional parties seem to have suddenly lost the brashness they previously demonstrated in voicing their opposition to RUU 355, also known as Hadi Awang’s hudud bill. Notice how silent they are in the face of a stern statement from Umno supreme council member Ahmad Maslan.

Ahmad Maslan has told them that they cannot oppose the bill when it is tabled by the government. We await their reactions to this directive. They cannot opt for silence, for silence means consent.

When they said they opposed the bill, did they do so because they felt safe going against a proposal by an opposition party instead of Umno?

Now that the game plan has changed, will they, in “the BN spirit of consensus”, do as directed by Ahmad Maslan, or will they have the courage to tell him that they are not opposing any individual or party, but are opposing RUU 355 no matter who tables it.

Or is the game up? Were the threats to leave Cabinet posts just a lot of hot air?

Ahmad Maslan has inadvertently explained Umno’s intention, which is to cement its unity with PAS. So Umno’s interest in the bill has nothing to do with religion. It’s all political.

What Ahmad Maslan has done is throw a dare to the non-Muslim parties. Dare you oppose and get kicked out of BN?

Ravinder Singh is an FMT reader.

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