Anti-hudud campaign by Hokkian Malaysia: Islamophobia on the rise

The Federation of Hokkian Associations of Malaysia, started a campaign to obtain 1 million signatures before the next parliamentary sitting. This campaign is aimed to deter the implementation of hudud in Malaysia. Previously there was also a campaign to gather a million signatures. After a revelation was made on how the signatures were obtained the entire mission went south.

There are many things that can be questioned about this campaign, including the method used to obtain a million signatures. Apart from that the act of going against hudud at this time is absurd. This movement like all others similar to it, started after Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi presented a private member’s bill to the parliament. It was said that the amendment to Act 355 is a kin to hudud.

This is a straw man, it has nothing to do with hudud as hudud involves capital punishments. The private member’s bill has been used to great effect by some non-Muslim groups that have used the situation to gather support and popularity. Some of these groups are political parties as well, and have gained sympathy by looking as the “fighters” of human rights.

Apart from the deviation made from a member’s bill to hudud, another “concern” for these groups is the “justice” faced by Muslims. We will not discuss the concept of justice for Muslims in this article however, how does justice or otherwise for a Muslim concern a non-Muslim?

Non-Muslims are not subjected to any form of Islamic legal system. The syariah has been applied in Malaysia since 1303, as mentioned in Batu Bersurat Terengganu. The common law was only implemented in 1807 after the introduction of the Charter of Justice in Perak. 

Muslims have always been subjected to the Syariah courts, as the duty of a British Resident was to advise the Malay King on all issues except those pertaining to Islam and Malay customs. These courts were under the purview of the Malay Kings. A question arises why suddenly the interest in hudud by the non-Muslims

As for the issues related to “unilateral” conversions and inter-faith marriages, rest assured this bill does not deal with those issue and hence status quo is maintained. By labelling the amendment of Act 355 to create Islamophobia among the citizens of Malaysia in a very divisive and unjustified move.

The unity of this country has been affected, and the rise in Islamophobia can be clearly seen as a result of these movements. What gain can on possibly make by upsetting the majority population of any country?

It is not for the non-Muslims to decide what laws and regulations the Muslims are subjected to, it is for the Muslims to decide on the issue. Any struggle based on something that is not true can not possibly be sustained. 

To live in harmony the minority has to accept the culture and rules of the majority. It would be sad to see people bickering over something that does not concern them. Telling Muslims to abandon hudud is a kin to the Muslims telling the non-Muslims on how they should follow their religious teachings. 

Rehan Ahmad Bin Jamaluddin Ahmad
President, Intellectual Wisdom Society

RELATED:

http://www.ismaweb.net/2016/06/persekutuan-persatuan-hokkien-malaysia-kempen-kumpul-sejuta-tandatangan-bantah-hudud/

http://www.ismaweb.net/2016/06/kata-pedang-mari-berkempen-tolak-hokkien-bersifat-harbi-di-malaysia/