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I WAS aghast to read a news report that PAS wants non-Muslims to vote it into power so that it can implement Syariah law and include punishments such as stoning and hand amputations.
The report said: “The people want the best and there is nothing better than Islam,” Nik Aziz Nik Mat, 77, told Reuters after morning prayers at his home in Kelantan, ruled by PAS since 1990.”
In a multi-religious society such a statement is extremely insensitive and insulting.
It shows how out of touch PAS ideology is with a modern Malaysia and why it will never win the hearts and minds of most Malaysians.
The report further said: “Thieves steal from the rich and the Chinese are more well-off than the Malays. If a thief’s hand is amputated and he goes to the football field or to the market, people can see that he is a thief,” he said. “Everyone will be afraid and won’t steal.”
I don’t know whether to laugh or to cry. Who says thieves steal only from the rich or that the Chinese are the only rich Malaysians? It frightens me that such ignorance masquerades as politics unless all was said in facetiousness.
If somebody steals from me I would rather he keep what he has stolen rather than see his hand chopped off. How then will a thief be able to mend his or her ways and earn an honest living without a hand? Such measures have never been part of the Malaysian culture and I hope for our sake never will be.
I have seen video footage of a young boy who had his hand chopped off for stealing in a Muslim country. It was done in public but that and many other amputations have not stopped serious crimes, including rape and murder, happening.
I can’t help register my protest and disgust at the PAS suggestion. As one opposition politician said: “It appears they still have a political death wish.”
It is easy to see why Umno gets a walkover every time. I’d rather think the bizarre statements were only headline grabbing now the elections are around the corner. But I know who won’t be getting my vote and I certainly won’t be lending it a hand.
STEVE OH,
Perth, Australia.
Source: The Star – January 22, 2008
2 responses to “PAS statement is extremely insensitive”
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Serious Shepherd
January 22nd, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Currently thieves are cutting off fingers of their victims such as Martin Joseph Ignatius who almost became a victim ( http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2007/12/27/columnists/rulesofunreality/19847045&sec=Rules%20Of%20Unreality )
. Surely he is an honest man ‘mencari rezeki halal’, so why focus on what happened to a thief once his hands chopped off while ignoring the plight of the victim of crime? Or do you prefer the current solution which does not seem to work at all?
And on the video about the boy, I think you have been deceived. In Islam, only those who have reached pubetry are subjected to punishment.
No to Cruelty to Humans
January 24th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Yes I saw a video also ..the boy was about 16 or 17 years old,still a boy..I agree with the writer..it is unjust and barbaric …very cruel. IF your son or daughter stole money from you do you want his or her hand chopped off? You must be heartless…