Gerakan youth leader to quit if his party votes for Hadi bill

Andy Yong makes this promise in front of a crowd of 100 today.

PETALING JAYA: Gerakan’s Andy Yong promised today, in front of around 100 people, to resign if his party voted for the PAS proposed amendments to Shariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965.

The Gerakan youth deputy chief made this promise as he stood in front of the crowd gathered here to express their objection to the amendments which was tabled in Dewan Rakyat last year, through PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s private member’s bill, also known as Act 355.

“It has been politicised. We live in a beautiful and peaceful country. Don’t let them ruin it.

“If my MP voted in favour of this bill, I will resign,” he said, to the loud cheer of those present this afternoon.

Gerakan has only two seats in the Dewan Rakyat. They are held by Teluk Intan MP Mah Siew Keong, and Simpang Renggam MP Liang Teck Meng.

Yong also addressed the anti-Islam label PAS gave to those who opposed Hadi’s bill. He said Gerakan had, since day one, objected to the bill not because they are against the “beautiful” religion that is Islam.

But it was because of the way that Hadi had tabled or pushed for the bill, added Yong.

“I have received many calls, threats, by those asking why I’m interfering in Islamic affairs. Telling me that it’s none of my business.

“But this has never been about Islam. It is about the inequality and the injustice of the bill. And since 2015, the manner that the bill was tabled, was very fishy and raised many questions.”

He then pointed to the lack of proper notice given to both the BN and opposition MPs before the bill was tabled in the Dewan Rakyat last year.

“It’s his democratic rights to table the bill. But why do it on a way that aroused suspicion? They are the ones who have politicised this issue the most.”

Another speaker at the “Himpunan Rakyat Tolak Usul Hadi”, Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs’ (Ideas) Azrul Mohd Khalib, had earlier spoken on how Hadi’s bill has been used as a “treat” to garner votes.

This is especially as the next general election is expected to take place latest by next year.

“But tell them that while they are busy trying to win seats, we are trying to protect Malaysia and the people here,” said Azrul, who is Ideas’ external relations manager.

Today’s gathering was organised by secular activist group Bebas to counter PAS’ rally, which is going on until 11pm. While PAS aims to show the public’s support for Hadi’s bill, Bebas aims to show otherwise.

The bill seeks to increase shariah courts’ punitive powers from the current prison sentences of a maximum of three years, RM5,000 fine and six strokes of caning.

Hadi, through the bill, proposed to empower shariah courts to impose up to 30 years imprisonment, 100 strokes of the cane and a fine up to RM100,000. -FMT