KUALA LUMPUR, April 29 — Shunning a public exchange over the hudud controversy, MIC says it will try to meet with rival PAS leaders over the Islamist party’s plans to enforce the controversial Islamic penal law.

MIC strategic director Datuk Seri Vell Paari said that while the party was against the attempt to implement hudud in Kelantan, it will not engage in a public spat with PAS, eschewing the strategy used by Barisan Nasional (BN) partner MCA.

“Therefore, I have sent a request to PAS deputy president YB Mohamad Sabu to arrange for a meeting between a MIC delegation and PAS reps whereby our delegation will convey the concerns of MIC as well as the Indian community regarding hudud,” he said in a statement today.

He added that Mohamad has responded to say that MIC’s request has been forwarded to PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali.

Vell Paari said that while MIC recognised the Muslims’ viewpoint that hudud was “divine ordained law”, it was doubtful about the effective enforcement of the Islamic laws in a secular and multi-racial Malaysia.

He cited Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s conviction for sodomy to highlight his view that convicted offenders may not be able to effectively appeal under hudud laws as the punishments would be of an irreversible nature.

He said that Anwar could have been “stoned to death” under hudud, whereas the politician could still appeal after being found guilty in the civil courts.

Anwar was later released after being acquitted, Vell said, adding: “But my point is he was alive to seek appeal.”

Yesterday, MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel said the party was against the amputation of criminals convicted under hudud laws.

Earlier today, MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the party was clearly against the allegedly unconstitutional hudud and called on other component parties in the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition to echo its stand.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who also leads BN, recently said that Putrajaya has never rejected hudud, but explained that many issues must be resolved before the Islamic penal code could be enforced in Malaysia.

PAS announced plans this month to introduce two private members’ bills in Parliament to allow it to enforce hudud in Kelantan.

In 1993, the PAS state government passed the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Code Enactment II, but the strict Islamic penal code has not been enforced.

In Islamic jurisprudence, hudud covers crimes such as theft, robbery, adultery, rape and sodomy.  Punishments for the crimes are severe, including amputation, flogging and death by stoning.