DAP supremo hurls blame for hudud on MCA

Lim Kit Siang says MCA and other BN leaders must explain why they agreed that Umno Kelantan assemblymen support the hudud amendments.

KUALA LUMPUR: DAP’s Lim Kit Siang, returning the proverbial serve to MCA, today dismissed accusations by its president that DAP was to blame for the recent passing of the hudud proposal in Kelantan, saying that MCA themselves had a lot of explaining to do regarding the issue of hudud.

“The only people that need to explain their change of stand is MCA. Why did they allow Umno to go against what is supposed to be a Barisan Nasional policy vote in support of hudud (in Kelantan).

“The president of MCA and other BN leaders have to explain why they agreed to Umno Kelantan assemblymen supporting hudud, unless it’s a prelude to BN and Umno taking a stand, supporting the private member’s bill in Parliament,” Lim told reporters at Parliament lobby today.

Lim also insisted that DAP’s stand on hudud had remained unchanged from day one, as the party still rejected the Islamic law since it was not part of Pakatan Rakyat’s common policy framework. He, however, lamented that PAS had blindsided them with their “push for hudud”.

Lim called on Prime Minister Najib Razak to take a stand on the matter and make his position clear, cautioning that if BN and Umno have deviated from the founding principles of their parties, which rejects hudud in a “moderate” society, it would be “a major departure” from BN policy.

“If Umno supports the private member’s bill, it will destroy both Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Nasional.

“If that is the case, then the time has come to think about a new coalition whereby, members of Parliament of both sides of the South China Sea who are prepared to defend constitutionalism and rule of law can come together,” said Lim.

Admitting that the issue of ‘hudud’ was somewhat sensitive, the veteran politician added it could have a far-reaching effect on non-Muslims as Malaysia was a multi-racial society.

“There cannot be bystanders, we are all going to be involved,” said Lim and stressed that those who opposed hudud must not be equated as being anti-Muslim.

“Then, you would be classifying very devout Muslims as anti-Muslims. Are you calling all the Umno MP’s opposing hudud as anti-Islam for not openly declaring their support for hudud? Are you calling all the four (former) Prime Ministers as anti-Islam?

“Let’s not go down that road,” quipped Lim.

The Gelang Patah MP, however unwilling to concede that PR was headed for imminent dissolution, said he still hoped the coalition would stay intact and remained optimistic that a resolution would be arrived at DAP’s Central Executive Committee meeting tonight.