Hudud, a Malay attorney-general and harsher laws for those who insult Islam are among the things nationalist groups want from the new Malay-dominant government.
Demands include:
- Return of GST at 2%
- Preferences for Malay entrepreneurs
- Hudud laws
- Harsher laws against those who insult Malays and Islam
- Rehabilitation Malay-related institutions such as Tabung Haji, Mara and Felda
They also want a return of the goods and services tax (GST) albeit at a lower rate of 2% as they feel that the current sales and services tax (SST) regime favours tax evaders.
They also want more preferences for Malay entrepreneurs as they accuse the previous Pakatan Harapan government of abolishing quotas for them.
These groups frequently accused the former PH administration of being anti-Malay and anti-Islam, charges which the coalition said are unfounded.
They also opposed PH’s policies to sign a global treaty to eliminate racial discrimination and to make Malaysia a party to the International Criminal Court.
“We should accept hudud laws as the punishment for someone who kills someone (else) on the road should be death,” said Muslim Consumers’ Association president Nadzim Johan.
“Nowadays, there is no redress for the victims in these types of cases. We should support good things like this. It shows that Islam is universal.”
Hudud, or the Islamic penal code, promoted by conservative Islamist parties like PAS, prescribes harsh punishments for offences, such as theft, adultery, consuming alcohol and murder.
These punishments, which Muslim scholars have criticised as being medieval, include amputation, stoning, death and crucifixion.
PAS, which is a partner in the current government, attempted to implement hudud in Kelantan and Terengganu, but was unsuccessful.
PH collapsed following the exit of component party Bersatu, which joined up with Umno, PAS and a faction of PKR, to form an administration called Perikatan Nasional.
Another group, Pertubuhan Pembela Islam (Pembela), wants the government to appoint a Malay attorney-general who is independent and has wide experience.
Pembela chief Aminuddin Yahaya said the government can foster better national unity by the stricter enforcement of laws against those who insult Malays and Islam.
This is also the time for the government to restructure the National Harmony Consultative Council (JPPM) to make it more inclusive, said Aminuddin.
“Unity must be fostered through a mechanism that deals with insults to Islam,” Aminuddin said.
“We have to take this seriously because Malays don’t insult other religions or other races, but other races insult Malays and Islam. So, there must be enforcement.”
Aminuddin said Malay businessmen are still lagging behind non-Malays and, therefore, need to be protected.
“What is important is that we don’t want any leakage, no cronies and a focus on Malay entrepreneurs.
“The problem is when you give out projects. The gap between Malay and non-Malay entrepreneurs is big so we can’t treat everyone equally.”
Malaysian Chambers of Entrepreneur Development Nazilah Idris urged PN to rehabilitate Malay-related institutions, such as Tabung Haji, Mara and Felda.
“We also want the GST to be revived at a rate of 2% because the GST is more systematic, and the government can tax the people to restore the country’ finances. SST allows many to get away without paying tax,” said Nazillah.
– TMI