KUALA LUMPUR, March 23 — As leaders here continue to lock horns over the viability of introducing hudud in multi-religious Malaysia, Perlis Mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin suggested today that a panel of local and international experts study PAS’s proposed Islamic penal law for Kelantan.

According to him, the review is necessary to ensure that the failures in implementing the controversial criminal justice system in Libya, Sudan, Nigeria and Pakistan would not repeat itself in Malaysia.

The outspoken scholar also insisted that many countries have failed in their interpretations of hudud, creating a negative image of the Islamic law.

“Hudud is like a heavy door, that is, however beautiful and secure. Therefore, we need an appropriate house to attach the door to,” Mohd Asri wrote on his official Facebook page today.

“If the door is attached to a shabby house, then the beautiful but heavy door will cause the house to collapse. But if it is attached to a beautiful house, then its beauty will be highlighted and security is achieved.”

Mohd Asri warned today that Muslims must prevent hudud from being seen as inconducive, especially amid the barbarism of Islamic laws implemented by fundamentalist groups such as the Taliban, Islamic State, and Boko Haram.

“We Muslims are living in an era of wrong perception towards Islam and its teachings. The enemies of Islam is planning this wrong perception,” the mufti warned.

“If we are not careful, this hudud will be the weapon for the wrong perception.”

Last week, the Kelantan State Legislative Assembly passed amendments to the Shariah Criminal Code (II) 1993 Enactment to pave way for the implementation of hudud laws in the state.

PAS is expected to propose a private member’s bill on hudud in the May sitting of Parliament as its next step.

PKR central committee member Latheefa Koya claimed last week that the hudud law that PAS is pushing for is not in line with Quranic teachings, listing four differences between the Quran’s teaching on hudud and the PAS-ruled Kelantan’s 1993 hudud enactment.