PETALING JAYA, March 25 — PAS will continue to pursue its goal to implement hudud with or without the approval of its new ally, Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia (Ikatan), once Parliament approved its motion on the matter.


PAS’s Ulama Council chief, Datuk Dr Mahfodz Mohamad, said the implementation of hudud laws had always been the party’s ideology and dogma since its formation and it would never drop the plan.


“As far as PAS is concerned, the basis of our reference and struggle is the same and never changes and if the motion in parliament succeeds, we will proceed to enforce it,” he said.


Mahfodz was commenting on Ikatan’s vice-president Datuk Tony Looi statement that he would leave Ikatan if PAS continued to pursue the implementation of hudud laws as Ikatan had stated its stand not to support hudud.


Ikatan president Tan Sri Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir, on the other hand, had said the party was always aware of  PAS’s struggle and did not reject the implementation of hudud.


Mahfodz said what Looi had expressed was his personal view and would not affect the political understanding between the two parties.


PAS deputy president Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said he was optimistic hudud championed by his party could be enforced and that Ikatan would be receptive to it.


“It would be easier for Ikatan to accept the hudud laws compared to our previous counterpart DAP because Ikatan has a better understanding on PAS’s struggle,” he said.


However, Tuan Ibrahim said it was up to Ikatan to accept hudud as PAS had never forced anyone to agree on its implementation.


“We can’t force everyone to accept hudud and they are allowed to disagree,” he said.


He said the political pact between PAS and Ikatan signed on March 16 would see them act more as an issues-based pressure group, whose main agenda was to make a positive transformation.


“We have to focus on a lot of issues, and I hope the pact will effectively help to alleviate burdens faced by the people,”  he said.


Tuan Ibrahim also said the implementation of hudud should be viewed in a positive manner.


“It aims to achieve peace and fairness. I believe non-Muslims would agree if a law is implemented to  ensure peace and curb crimes,” he said.