In the wake of PAS’s resounding victory in the Malay belt states over the Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) coalitions, the spotlight has shifted to the party’s stance on implementing hudud laws. This heightened interest among netizens stems from recent comments made by PAS leader Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang regarding political pardons and Islamic principles.
On September 1st, PAS’s official Twitter account shared a message from Hadi Awang, emphasizing that there is no forgiveness or pardon in Islam once someone is found guilty according to the law. This statement triggered a wave of inquiries from Twitter users, who were keen to understand when PAS intends to implement hudud laws in the states it governs.
Hudud laws, a set of Islamic laws frequently championed by Hadi Awang, have long been a subject of debate in Malaysian politics. Hadi’s remarks on the absence of forgiveness in Islam after legal condemnation have led to questions about his party’s commitment to putting hudud into practice. Specifically, many netizens wondered if this signaled an imminent push for hudud implementation in PAS-controlled states.
Some Twitter users pointed out Hadi Awang’s historical criticism of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, citing his past book on Anwar and the victims of fitnah (slander) in Malaysia. It’s worth noting that Anwar’s legal proceedings had a final legal recourse involving a pardon from the King of Malaysia, which contrasts with the application of Islamic laws.
As the political landscape continues to evolve in Malaysia, the public remains attentive to PAS’s stance on hudud and its potential implications in the states under its control.