14 October 2016

Press statement by MCA Youth Secretary-General Dato’ Leong Kim Soon

Shameful for Lim Kit Siang to defame MCA on Shariah Court Bill

I am truly surprised by DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang’s statement regarding BN component parties remained silent on the tabling of Private Member’s Bill on Shariah enactment by PAS president Hadi Awang. As a veteran politician, how can he publicly defame MCA, when everyone is aware of MCA’s firm stance in opposing the Shariah enactment? His rogue behaviour is indeed very shameful.

Lim Kit Siang’s statement typically reflects DAP’s tactics in politicking and turning wrong into right, as well as his desire of whitewashing the fact that DAP had betrayed the Chinese community by supporting and empowering PAS.

It is in fact the biggest joke ever that Lim Kit Siang alleged MCA is silent on Shariah enactment. Rakyat, especially the Chinese community were aware that MCA was the first to oppose when it comes to Shariah enactment, the party also remain consistent and firm in safeguarding the interests of Chinese community.

MCA President cum Transport Minister Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai also stressed that MCA’s stance remained unchanged in opposing the Shariah enactment, and even staked his Cabinet post for this matter, urging all BN component parties to stand together in opposing the implementation of Shariah enactment.

News of MCA opposing the Shariah enactment were widely reported in the media, and I am puzzled why Lim Kit Siang continues to play dumb and ignorant till today. Even if he does not read much, he should at least watch the news.

Up till yesterday, MCA President had once again emphasised that MCA had showed its objections against the Private Member’s Bill on Shariah enactment in the BN coalition, and also requested that the Bill does not go beyond the government Bill. On the contrary, DAP had misled the people to vote for PAS in the last two elections so that the party could win. Although DAP is comprised mostly of non-Muslim Members of Parliament, it is only good at shirking responsibilities.

In 1990, 46 spiritual parties together with PAS had formed a ‘Muslim United Front’, and DAP and PAS won the General Election through their indirect cooperation with these spiritual parties. PAS won 7 parliamentary seats and successfully formed the Kelantan state government. In 1993, the Kelantan State Legislative Assembly passed the Shariah enactment.

In the same year, DAP, PAS and PKR formed the ‘Alternative Front’. PAS won in the General Election and took over Kelantan and Terengganu, and its parliamentary seats increased from 7 to 27. In 2002, Terengganu State Legislative Assembly followed suit and passed the Shariah enactment.

In 2008, DAP, PAS and PKR formed the ‘People’s Alliance (Pakatan Rakyat)’ following the General Election. In the 2013 General Election, DAP campaigned for PAS, vowed that PAS would not implement the Shariah enactment, and would only realise the vision of a welfare state. In order to win over the voters, DAP contested using PAS’ symbol, to allow both parties to be seen as one. Hence DAP should be held responsible for the tabling of PAS Private Member’s Bill on Shariah enactment.

MCA challenges DAP to openly declare its stance on PAS and Shariah-supporting Pakatan Harapan. If DAP opposes the Shariah enactment, it should leave the Selangor state government, stopped working with PAS and show their objections through actions, instead of paying lip service.

Dato’ Leong Kim Soon
MCA Youth Secretary General

-MCA Online-