GEORGE TOWN, Aug 20 (Bernama) -- Hudud was not a law in public interest as it would not deter crimes but potentially, encourage them, claimed DAP chairman Karpal Singh.

He said in hudud, cases required proof beyond a shadow of a doubt (100 per cent proof) unlike the present criminal law which required beyond reasonable doubt.

"For example, in hudud for a rape case, you must have four eyewitnesses and it is impossible to secure four eyewitnesses.

"If hudud is applied as a law, then, no one will be convicted because proof is beyond a shadow of a doubt," he told reporters here today.

Karpal said, the hudud law was practically impossible to prove a case in court, adding that the civil law was better.

He stressed that he was never against Islam.