MCA defends multiracial society; strongly opposes Hadi’s Bill

The Private Member’s Bill tabled by PAS President Dato’ Seri Hadi Awang which proposes amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 better known as Act 355 violates the very core foundation of the Federal Constitution that upholds the highest law of the land and safeguards the multiracial fabric of our plural society. MCA vehemently opposes the proposed amendments.

In an open letter reported in Malaysiakini (20th July 2017), Hadi Awang had warned non-Muslims not to become an obstacle to the Islamic approach to politics, economy and society. The PAS leader further warned that there should be no compromise to anyone who opposed the implementation of Islamic practices, values and laws. He also stressed that Muslims are compelled by their religion to ensure that the requirements in the Quran supersede that of the Federal Constitution.

Nevertheless, be it Hadi Awang’s Private Member’s Bill, or any Bill that breaches the Federal Constitution, MCA opposes without fear and the two MCA backbencher MPs in the Dewan Rakyat have proven so. MCA will not agree to any Bills that are against the principles of the Constitution which lead to instability in our multiracial society.

Hadi Awang must realise that his Private Member’s Bill has failed to receive support from non-Muslims, and there are Muslims, a silent mass, who resist it, too.

Hadi’s Private Member’s Bill is a backdoor attempt to implement PAS hudud enactment, and has gone beyond defending the rights of all Malaysian citizens in our multiracial society. The proposed Bill not only crosses the line by disregarding the Constitutional rights of non-Muslims and even Muslims, it will also lead Malaysia towards a very dangerous pathway. MCA and the people will oppose with all means to stop this. We believe that the consequences will be disastrous for all Malaysians and the country, should the Bill be passed in Parliament.

The so-called Islamic approach upheld by Hadi Awang to curb corruption and other crimes, are merely his wishful thinking. None of the countries which enforced hudud law are able to stop corruption, fraud and abuse of power in their countries.

Third-world Islamic state nations like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Sudan, Afghanistan are clear examples where corruption, fraud and abuse of power are common. Their people live in dire straits, even their welfare and interests could not be ensured, so how can the impact on non-Muslims be any different?

I would like to stress that, Malaysia under the administration of Barisan Nasional, has transformed from an underdeveloped third-world country into a developing nation moving towards the status of a  high-income nation. With continuous and steady economic growth, we live in peace, harmony and prosperity with the people's rights enshrined in the Federal Constitution. The people will not be lulled into accepting regressive changes that will hurt the country’s stability.

MCA will stand firm with the people in rejecting extreme religious-based criminal codes that will destroy the nation and jeopardise harmony in our multiracial and multireligious society. PAS’ Private Member’s Bill must never be allowed in Malaysia. MCA will object PAS hudud enactments absolutely!

Dato’ Toh Chin Yaw
MCA Terengganu State Liaison Committee Chairman

-MCA online-