TUN Musa Hitam, our former deputy prime minister, must be highly commended for rightly reflecting the views of a significant proportion or even a majority of thinking Malaysians, against the introduction of hudud laws.
At the World Islamic Economic Forum in Spain, he said that he was "very disappointed with Umno for not making its stand on hudud clear". In this, he reflected the deep concerns of most Malaysians. Indeed, the Umno-led government had been reasonably expected for a long time now, to come out unequivocally on this vital issue, rather than remain relatively quiet.
The absence of a government response to rising public concern, particularly after the Kelantan state assembly recently passed the hudud bill, is causing national anxiety, and wide and grave uncertainty as to the future development and direction of our beloved country. As Musa correctly pointed out, "these are national issues, with far reaching implications to the country, both domestically and internationally".
Confidence at home and abroad can dramatically d e cline a s Malaysians and foreigners see themselves at the crossroads of Malaysian destiny. We all ask whether we will continue to adopt secular ways to go forward, or take the hudud highway and perhaps go backwards?
These uncertainties will also be reflected in the future strength or weakness of the ringgit, the rise in capital outflows, the worsening of the serious brain drain and even the risk of rising Inflation. Musa's considered opinion is that "hudud is not appropriate for multi ethnic and multi-religious Malaysia".
Actually, this is the reality which has to be appreciated, if we are not to fall into a religious trap. Hudud cannot be applied only to Muslims in a multi-religious society, unlike some countries in the Middle East. How can anyone honestly claim that in Malaysia, where Muslims and non-Muslims interact so closely as united Malaysians, hudud will apply only to Muslims, when other parties may be jointly and severely involved in crime or camaraderie?
We all hope the government will respond to Musa's urgent call for it to declare a clear stand on whether it supports hudud or not. We all await with bated breath for the government to firmly and finally make its stand on hudud.
In reality, the whole world is patiently waiting with us. We wish the prime minister, the cabinet and the whole government, the very best in exercising the courage of its conviction in leading our country to greater success.
Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia