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Mahathir rejects Islamic law
From al Jazeera. Slightly EFL
The Malaysian prime minister has rejected Islamic criminal laws introduced by an opposition-ruled state because of their "cruel punishments". Mahathir Muhammad was quoted by The Star newspaper on Tuesday as saying he did not consider Terengganu’s Islamic criminal legislation as true Sharia laws. His comments came after the state, controlled by the Islamic Party (PAS), announced a Sharia act to criminalise illicit sex, drinking alcohol and the renunciation of Islam. For those renouncing Islam, offenders have three days to repent, failing which the punishment is death and confiscation of property.
The confiscation’s redundant - what do you need a TV for when your pop-eyed renunciatin’ head’s stuck on a pole?
"It is PAS’s law," said the veteran moonbat premier, who retires on Friday after 22 years in office. "They can implement it but if they do something which is inconsistent with the country’s laws, we will take legal action." Legal experts say PAS has no right to impose criminal laws, which come under the federal government’s jurisdiction, but the party insists these are religious matters which come under the state’s purview.
And Islam always respects the state.
PAS has consistently criticised Mahathir’s government for following a western, secular model at the expense of a traditional Islamic system which is popular with Malaysia’s Muslims. In a recent interview, Terengganu’s Chief Minister Abd al-Hadi Awang defended the Sharia code. "Although our penalties are harsh and terrifying, we must realise that these offences and sins... are truly evil and despicable," he said. Muslims make up 60% of Malaysia’s 23 million people, but Sharia law has been opposed by members of the large ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities.
"I mean, it’s not as though they’re going to renounce Islam..."
Proponents of Sharia law often criticise its opponents, and even some of its advocates, for over-emphasising its penal aspects, thus making a mockery of Islam.
"We don’t want to talk about it, cos we’ll only end up looking stupid."
They argue the punishments only become applicable in the context of an equitable Islamic society. Therefore, amputations or death sentences cannot be carried out if there is widespread poverty or a ramshackle education system.
"Yeah, it can only happen a lot in wealthy Islamic utopias like Afghanistan and Nigeria. And rich, educated Saudi miscreants get their bits lopped off all the time.
At present Sharia law covers civil matters such as divorce for Malaysian Muslims, but is not part of the criminal code under Mahathir’s government. PAS, which also rules neighbouring Kelantan state and holds 27 of Malaysia’s 193 federal parliament seats, is the only significant threat to Mahathir’s United Malays National Organisation.
So it’s not only the Joooos who’re threatening the mighty Mahathir.
Posted by: Bulldog 2003-10-28
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=20444