Ramli was seen signing the petition in a Facebook video shared by MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

The former senior police officer appeared in the video together with MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon and Youth chairman Nicole Wong Siaw Ting.

They shared a light moment when Ramli surprised Dr Mah and Wong by saying a few words in Mand­arin.

“I disagree with it (the abolition of death penalty),” Ramli said while signing the petition.

“Ramli’s victory is expected to add to the checks and balances of the government, and together we will protest the abolition of the death penalty in Parliament when it convenes on March 11,” Dr Wee said.

On a separate matter, Dr Wee said requesting elected representatives to state their stand on major issues should not be labelled as “politicising the issue”.

“How is it that DAP can ask others to state their stand, but they cannot be asked so?” he said.

His statement came after DAP leader Lim Kit Siang claimed MCA was politicising the death penalty issue.

Dr Wee said he had expressed his stand on opposing the abolition of the death penalty in Parliament on Oct 15 last year, and that the party and MCA Youth had also done so.

“We have been opposing the proposal since October last year and not only during the Cameron High­lands by-election,” he added.

Dr Wee said the abolition of the death penalty was a major issue as it would impact people’s rights and interests, as well as the social safety net of society.