KUALA LUMPUR: The MCA will not tolerate any form of “Talibanisation” in Malaysia as mode­ration is the only option for the future of this country.

Party president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the Federal Government was committed to the practice of moderation and multi-culturalism.

He said any move to demolish Pulau Langkawi’s iconic eagle sta­tue must be stopped.

He said the idea reportedly came from Perak deputy mufti Zamri Hashim, who wrote in a daily that the statue was forbidden in Islam.

“It is just his personal view and we must remember that he is not even from Kedah.

“But to avoid ambiguity it is best that the Kedah state government put an end to any argument to demolish it,” he said in a statement.

Liow said Kedah was under Barisan Nasional rule which advocated moderation, adding that the coalition “does not believe in the Taliban way.”

He reminded that in 1999, when PAS came to power, the first thing the then state Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Hadi Awang did was to demolish the replica of a turtle at a roundabout in Kuala Terengganu, with the same argument that it was akin to idol worship.

“Likewise, when PAS took over Kelantan, the party changed Pantai Cinta Berahi (Beach of Passionate Love” to Pantai Cahaya Bulan)

“Despite all the stringent rules in Kelantan including gender segregation and summonses against non-Muslim traders of unisex salons and a watch dealer for putting up posters of models who did not cover their heads, we all know PAS has no answer to the host of problems in Kelantan such a AIDS and drug abuse,” he said.

Liow said the DAP campaigned hard for PAS in the 2013 general election, since it must take responsibility for allowing the voices of religious extremism to grow.

He also added that Malaysia had no place for political and religious extremism.

Langkawi MCA division chairman Datuk Chen Liau Weng said new development would take place on the site of the island’s iconic eagle statue if it is demolished.

He said many people were eyeing the seafront land where the statue is sited – Eagle Square – in Kuah as it is prime land and a valuable piece of property.

“The reasons given to support its demolition is most irrational,” he said.

-The STAR-