Umno's young ulama back hudud law for Johor

The young ulama secretariat of Umno has declared its support for the proposal to implement hudud law in Johor on all races.

Its chairperson Fathul Bari Mat Jahaya, told Sinar Harian that the secretariat's working committee had decided in a meeting to send an official letter on this to the Johor Umno in two or three days.

The letter will express its unanimous support for Umno's Kemelah assemblyperson Ayub Rahmat (right) who raised the proposal during the Johor state assembly sitting on June 20, said Fathul.

It will also give views and suggestions on how hudud law can be implemented in the southern state.

"If all the resolutions, views and suggestions are accepted, we would be willing to involve ourselves to help facilitate the process of implementing hudud in Johor," he was quoted as saying.

However he stressed that the ulama secretariat has no power to make any decision on the matter.

Contacted by Malaysiakini last week, Ayub said he wanted to see Johor to be the first state to implement "true hudud", which he said differed from PAS' version of the religious law.

The critical difference with PAS's hudud that has been legislated in Kelantan, he said, was that there would be no discrimination as it would cover all races in Johor.

Following that, PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat (left) welcomed the proposal and congratulated Umno.

However, Ayub's statement was immediately blasted by MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek, who said Ayub was "out of his mind".

Ayub later took a step back, saying that the issue should be discussed behind closed doors as it would create confusion within Malaysian society.