KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 23 — PAS is not violating Pakatan Rakyat’s (PR) common policy framework with its attempt to implement hudud in Kelantan as the enactment was passed back in 1993 when the coalition didn’t exist, Kelantan insists.

Citing Kelantan Deputy Mentri Besar Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah, Malay-language daily Berita Harian reported today the PAS leader as unfazed by DAP national bureau chief Gobind Singh Deo’s warning to the Kelantan state government against tabling amendments to the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Code Enactment II 1993 on March 18.

“I want to explain to the DAP that that enactment was passed even since 1993. At that time, Pakatan Rakyat didn’t exist,” Amar was quoted saying.

“Therefore, the issue of PAS breaking the common policy framework as claimed by the DAP does not arise, an issue which has led to that party constantly opposing the implementation of hudud law,” he added.

PKR, PAS and the DAP were firmed up their partnership after the watershed 2008 general election that saw the ruling Barisan Nasional lose its customary two-thirds majority in Parliament.

Gobind said yesterday that PAS will risk ostracisation by PR if the Islamist party went ahead with tabling amendments to its hudud law in Kelantan next month.

The Puchong MP said tabling the hudud amendment bill in Kelantan was a violation of PR’s common policy framework and pointed out that the move went against the agreement reached at the federal opposition pact’s last leadership council meeting to have further discussions on the matter.

Local daily The Star also reported today PAS Dewan Ulama head Hasan Mohamood as saying that the DAP had no right to object to PAS’ move to implement the Islamic penal code in Kelantan as it was planned long before PAS agreed to ally with PKR and the DAP.

“When it comes to implementing God’s laws, we cannot compromise with anyone. Our religious convictions are above anything else,” Hasan was quoted saying.

PAS is also expected to table two private members’ bills in Parliament next month, which are aimed at removing constitutional obstacles currently preventing it from enforcing the hudud law that it enacted in Kelantan back in 1993.

PAS was told at PR’s presidential council meeting on February 8 to present the hudud amendment bill and private members’ bills on the Islamic penal code to the federal opposition pact’s top leadership first before tabling them.

The DAP had warned of an imminent break-up of the PR alliance when Kelantan previously announced plans to table amendments to hudud law in the state assembly last December 29, until major floods in the east coast state forced PAS to postpone its plans.