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Minister: Hudud survey not measure of what Malaysians want
16-Jul-2014, The Malay Mail Online

Panellists of the 'Hudud in Malaysia, Can We? Should We?' forum are seen here at the KLSCAH in Kuala Lumpur, on May 11, 2014. ― Picture by Choo Choy May

KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 ― A minister shrugged off today Merdeka Center's hudud survey that showed a majority believing that the country is not ready for the Islamic penal code, saying one poll could not conclusively capture Malaysian sentiment on the matter.

Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan also said consultations would be held under the proposed national committee on hudud.

“It is not just about one survey,” Rahman told reporters at a function at PPR Desa Tun Razak in Cheras here today.

“This is a massive decision that must be made by the government or by the people of Malaysia. One survey should not be an indication of what the people want,” added the Sabah Umno secretary.

In the survey released by independent pollster Merdeka Center today, 59 per cent of respondents think Muslim-majority Malaysia is not ready to implement hudud.

Slightly more than half, however, support the controversial Islamic law at 53 per cent.

The survey polled 1,009 voters in peninsular Malaysia via telephone in their preferred language between April 12 and 21 this year.

In Islamic jurisprudence, “hudud” covers crimes such as theft, robbery, adultery, rape and sodomy. Punishments for the crimes are severe, including amputation, flogging and death by stoning.

 

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