15 October 2016

Press Statement by MCA Publicity Bureau Chairman Senator Dato’ Chai Kim Sen

MCA has consistently opposed to the tabling of PAS Private Member's Bill to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965

Referring to the newspaper report carried by Berita Harian dated 15 October 2016, pg 12 that “MCA tidak bantah usul Akta Syariah”, MCA Publicity Bureau Chairman Senator Dato’ Chai Kim Sen today emphasizes that MCA has consistently opposed to the tabling of PAS Private Member's Bill to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965.

He added that MCA has raised objections to the Bill in the Cabinet meeting and the Party upholds the Federal Constitution as the supreme law of the land.

“The Bill is a backdoor method to formally enforce the Kelantan hudud enactments. There is nothing stopping other States in Malaysia to introduce hudud enactments in their state legislations as well as PAS or UMNO legislators to push for religious-based criminal codes”, pointed out Chai.

Chai also highlighted PAS wants to enhance the sentencing power of the Syariah Court from the current “3-6-5 Safeguards” i.e 3-years imprisonment, 6 strokes of the rotan and RM5,000 fine,” save for death penalty but PAS did not specify how much the sentencing will be increased. He pointed out the unconstitutionality of the proposed amendments which run counter the very grain of a secular society as intended by the Reid Commission when drafting our Federal Constitution.

He added on 26 May 2016, when Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Dato’ Seri Azalina Othman tabled a motion to fast track the Bill, the very next day, MCA led by Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai immediately gathered Gerakan President Dato’ Seri Mah Siew Keong, SUPP Deputy President Dato’ Richard Riot and MIC Vice-President Datuk T. Mohan (representing Party President Dato’ Seri Dr. S Subramaniam, who was in Geneva for a WHO meeting) to oppose to the Bill.

“MCA Cabinet Ministers even announced that they are willing to give up Cabinet posts if the Bill is passed in Parliament. Moreover, Wanita MCA went on a 1 million signature campaign nationwide and MCA Youth had also carried out “Upholding Federal Constitution" campaign immediately,” said Chai.

He expressed that in the meantime, MCA is also helping Federation of Hokkien Association in gathering 1 million signature nationwide to oppose to the Bill. 

Senator Dato’ Chai Kim Sen
MCA Publicity Bureau Chairman
MCA Deputy National Organising Secretary
 

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