Selangor Speaker Hannah Yeoh (centre) has approved the motion to discuss implementing the Islamic hudud penal code in the country's most developed state. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng

KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 — Umno will now be made to walk the talk on hudud after its proposal to introduce the Islamic penal code in Selangor was approved by the state assembly Speaker today.

The motion to discuss implementing the Islamic penal code in the country's most developed state was among four Umno submitted last week.

The party had decided to press ahead with the move on Tuesday, despite news reports of their intention drawing immediate backlash from its Barisan Nasional (BN) allies.

“Out of these four motions, I have approved three, rejected one,” Selangor Speaker Hannah Yeoh was reported as saying by news portal Malaysiakini today.

“The one that I have approved is also the motion to debate on hudud. I have approved it.”

Yeoh had on Tuesday confirmed receiving the four motions, including the controversial one on hudud.

MCA has since demanded that Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak punish the Selangor representatives who submitted the motion and demand that it be withdrawn.

Gerakan also warned the Malay nationalist party's assemblymen on the proposal for hudud in Selangor, saying it contravened the spirit of consensus in BN.

The Malay Mail Online understands the proposal seeks to look into the possibility of enforcing hudud in Selangor.

Malay-Muslim activists in support of the idea have argued the enforcement of hudud is in line Article 3 in the Federal Constitution, which states that Islam is the religion of the federation.

Opponents argue, however, that hudud cannot be carried out in Malaysia as Islamic law is applicable only on Muslims and if enforced, would run counter to other fundamental provisions in the constitution, namely Article 8, which prescribes equality before the law for all, regardless of their religious beliefs.

The proposal which seeks to look into the possibility of enforcing hudud in Selangor, was submitted by Sungai Air Tawar BN assemblyman Kamarol Zaki Abdul Malik last week.

In Selangor, BN is represented by 12 assemblymen, all from Umno.