What is the core disagreement on hudud between Dr Mahathir and Kelantan Umno?

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Core Disagreement on Hudud Law Between Dr Mahathir and Kelantan Umno

The central point of contention regarding hudud law between Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Kelantan Umno centres on the perceived fairness and Islamic legitimacy of the proposed Shariah Criminal Code (II) (1993) 2015 Enactment, as well as the political motivations behind its support. Kelantan Umno, through figures like Datuk Md Alwi Che Ahmad, argues that the enactment primarily serves to enhance the jurisdiction of Shariah courts and applies only to Muslims, viewing it as a step towards implementing "God's law" and fostering Malay-Muslim unity. Conversely, Dr Mahathir expresses shock and strong opposition, labelling the proposed law as "un-Islamic" and politically driven, asserting that it deviates from true Islamic principles of justice.
Perceived Fairness and Islamic Legitimacy

Dr Mahathir contends that PAS's hudud law is not representative of "Islam's hudud" due to its inherent unfairness. He highlights a perceived disparity where Muslims might face severe punishments like amputation and death by stoning, while non-Muslims receive lighter sentences for comparable offences. This, in his view, contradicts the Quranic demand for justice in meting out punishments. In contrast, Md Alwi Che Ahmad defends the enactment, stating that PAS has worded it in a manner that primarily enhances Shariah court jurisdiction and is intended to apply exclusively to Muslims, framing it as a positive progression.
Political Alliances and Motivations

A significant aspect of the disagreement involves the political alliances and the underlying motivations for supporting hudud. Md Alwi criticises Dr Mahathir for his opposition, questioning why he prioritises Umno's cooperation with non-Muslim parties like MCA and MIC over forging ties with PAS for the sake of Malay-Muslim unity. Md Alwi suggests that Dr Mahathir's stance is divisive and that Umno in Kelantan's support for the hudud amendments is a genuine backing of a beneficial initiative by PAS. Dr Mahathir, however, views Kelantan Umno's support as politically motivated and questions the legitimacy of PAS's intentions behind the hudud agenda.
Historical Context of Umno-PAS Relations

The disagreement also touches upon the historical relationship between Umno and PAS. Md Alwi asserts that the animosity between the two parties became most pronounced during Dr Mahathir's premiership, suggesting that he actively contributed to the "flames of enmity." He contrasts this with earlier periods under Tun Abdul Razak and Tun Hussein Onn, where he claims the relationship was less adversarial. This historical perspective frames Md Alwi's current stance as a preference for inter-party cooperation within the Muslim community, even if it means aligning with PAS over other political entities.

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What is the core disagreement on hudud between Dr Mahathir and Kelantan Umno?

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