Proposed Islamic law threatens Malaysian opposition unity

A Malaysian Islamist opposition party today began its push for the implementation of harsh criminal punishments like amputation and flogging in Kelantan state, a move likely to cause a rift in the opposition ranks.
Ahmad Yakob, Kelantan's chief minister, tabled the amendments to the Islamic Shariah Criminal Code Enactment II 1993 at the state assembly meeting.
Under the amendments, 'Hudud', or Islamic penalties, are only applicable to Muslims of age who commit offences in Kelantan.
The clause on the option for non-Muslims to be tried under Shariah or civil laws was repealed.
The Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) is a member of a three-party opposition alliance and rules the eastern Kelantan state.

The Islamist party's call for the implementation of Hudud has been shunned by the other two moderate opposition parties - DAP and PKR.

Ahmad said the state government remained committed to implement Hudud in Kelantan despite the long delay after the enactment was passed in 1993.
Meanwhile, opposition DAP has slammed the PAS in Kelantan for tabling the controversial amendments saying it was an effort to break up the opposition alliance.
A DAP official has said the party remained consistent that the implementation of the Shariah Criminal Enactment or Hudud was contrary to the Federal Constitution and not appropriate within the context of Malaysia's plural society.

Muslims constitute about two-thirds of Malaysia's ethnically diverse population of around 30 million. The country practises a relatively tolerant form of Islam, but conservative trends and attitudes have risen in recent years.