KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 ― The Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) openly expressed concern today over PAS’s plan to implement hudud in Kelantan, warning that a dual criminal justice system could lead to a miscarriage of justice for both Muslims and non-Muslims.

Although the Kelantan government has insisted that hudud will only affect Muslims, the umbrella body representing churches nationwide said in cases involving non-Muslims, punishments under the Islamic penal code would come in conflict with those permitted by civil criminal law.

“A dual criminal legal system, and in particular one which extends to hudud laws, would not only result in legal confusion and constitutional quagmire but inevitably to miscarriages of justice for one or both parties,” the body’s chairman Rev Dr Eu Hong Seng said in a statement.

CFM also said that its concern is shared by other members of interfaith group Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST).

CFM’s remark on hudud today is part of its statement lamenting the shrinking public space for religious expression and a rise in religious repression.

“Instead of building religiously self-confident communities of mutual respect in our multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious nation, there has been a progressive layering of fear, tension and suspicion,” it said.

“Our nation is in dire need of encouraging respectful discourse and dialogue to promote mutual understanding and widen perspectives.”

Among others, CFM urged for civil servants, especially those who deal with the public, to be educated on “the necessary decorum and sensitivity” to deal with interfaith matters, where they should show necessary respect to all religions despite their own belief.

On March 19, the Kelantan state assembly approved the Shariah Criminal Code (II) (1993) 2015 Enactment with 31 votes from PAS lawmakers supported by 12 from Umno.

PAS is now seeking to debate two private members’ bills in Parliament to enable Kelantan to enforce hudud ― one will seek approval for the state to legislate punishment for crimes under the Penal Code.

Elated with Kelantan’s push for hudud, several Muslim groups have since suggested that the controversial Islamic penal law in the state will grow and spread to the rest of Malaysia once it is enforced.

Several clerics have also insisted that the law be made applicable to all Malaysians regardless of faith, including Umno’s Dr Fathul Bari Mat Jahya.