The tough choice between hudud and GST

The Kelantan state assembly approved the Shariah Criminal Code II 1993 (Amendment 2015) on March 19, 2015. In the meantime, the goods and services tax (GST) will be implemented starting April 1, 2015.

I don’t know about you, but there’s only enough challenging news that one Malaysian woman can take within the span of 2 weeks.

Further, any attempt to start a discourse on the former via satirical means was received with calls of rape and death threats.

Excuse me, but are we living in 2015 or 1905?

Ironically enough, the call for such violence came from people who profess that they are upholding the religion of a most gracious, most merciful God.

Last I checked, the reason given for why our greatest miracle was the Quran was the fact that we, as a post-modern ummah, would be able to discourse on and debate any issues with intellect rather than following a prophet merely on his ability to conduct miracles. I guess some of us didn't get the memo.

As a 3M and a woman who has read a few reports on countries that underwent Islaminisation and engaged with women who lived under such regimes, I cannot support the implementation of the hudud law.

Never mind that according to Art Harun, in his weekly blog “The Art of the Matter”, the whole process last Wednesday was illegal and unconstitutional under the Federal Constitution of Malaysia; our esteemed members of Parliament clearly think that such an amendment is more important than ensuring that the people who voted for them receive adequate attention to rebuild their lives after the worst floods in our country’s history. Worse, they are confident that they will receive the support in Parliament to amend the Federal Constitution in line with tabling and implementing such laws.

I can’t help but wonder why this push is so necessary at the moment. Why we, a country 5 years shy of our Vision 2020, would push for a change that would indefinitely tear the fragile fabric of our country to shreds.

Let’s just imagine that we live in an Islamicised Malaysia for a moment.

A woman was caught stealing milk powder and brought to court. Under cross-examination, it was found that she stole the milk powder for her hungry child, as they as a family lost everything due to the floods and the struggling economy that left her without a job. The husband had left the picture long ago. Left with nothing, no means to receive money or assistance from a government hell-bent on performing for the afterlife, and starving children, she resorted to stealing.

Would a Shariah court amputate her right limb for stealing, too?

Was it not a failure of the state to provide for their citizens and ensure that all needs and basic human rights are provided for? Certainly responsibility as a leader of any state is the biggest amanah given by God.

Whose limbs are to be amputated then?

While the situation above is hypothetical, I shudder to think that it may be a country we will turn to. Will we see public caning and stoning every week after Friday prayers? Will there only be mosques left in this country? What will happen to the people of other faiths and atheists, agnostics; would “other religions may be practised in peace and harmony in any part of the federation” still hold true?

Yet the impending reality that I have to face as a Malaysian in a few short days is the implementation of GST.

While I have been trying to educate myself with the knowledge on what will be taxed and what will be exempted as well as preparing to adjust my personal finances accordingly, I notice that people who earn less than I are more resilient to this change. I felt humbled into submission, that a janitor whom I fondly call Auntie and always have a short chat with every day as I go into office, looks at the implementation of GST as something that is required and just another challenge to weather through. I know that Auntie and her colleagues earn way less than I and have to support more dependents on their meagre salaries; but they are hopeful that they will survive. Many of them have started small side-businesses to make ends meet, and I can't help but feel proud of their spirit and the fact that they do not resoort to merely asking for government assistance.

True, I will feel more glad paying taxes if I can live with an efficient public transport system, accessible healthcare, quality education (including improving educators’ skills through continuous engagement and impactful research grants) and the knowledge that I will be taken care of as an elderly, single woman – but let’s fight one thing at a time.

So yes, as a struggling academic I would gladly pay the 6% on my sanitary pads by working more hours and side jobs to make ends meet if the government can ensure that they will uphold the Federal Constitution and ensure that Malaysia will not become another failed state harbouring Boko Haram.

I am left to choose the lesser of two evils, but I will make this choice. – March 25, 2015.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.