Pakatan unconvinced by Muhyddin's truce on Normala's handshake

Fearing a backlash among Malay voters, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has slammed the brakes on an ill-judged attempt by MCA president Chua Soi Lek and his son Tee Yong to ridicule PAS candidate for refusing to shake hands with male voters.

Since last week, the two MCA leaders along with Gerakan’s Tan Lian Hoe had ractched up the racial and religious bigotry that BN is famous for when they attacked Normala for her religious beliefs in a bid to tarnish her chances in the by-election due to be balloted on January 30.

But Pakatan Rakyat leaders were not impressed, saying Muhyiddin should have taken much earlier.

“It is obvious he waited to see which way the wind was blowing. It is not sincere or out of love for Islam. And this issue is actually not just about Islam, it could be any religion, Christianity, Buddhism, Sikhism, what have you. Wearing gloves may not be compulsory but it is prescribed practise for a Muslim woman and it is up to her to practise it if she chooses to,” PAS MP for Bukit Gantang Nizar Jamaluddin toldMalaysia Chronicle.

“Whether it is acceptable for a public figure to wear gloves even when shaking hands with other women constituents is up to the voters to decide, not Soi Lek, Tee Yong or Lian Hoe. It is actually very impertinent of them and shows their complete lack of good form. Now that the DPM has spoken, let's see how they will react. Like the saying goes, what comes around goes around."

Tail between the legs after reprimand

Indeed, the atmosphere in Tenang has become more unhealthy as campaigning progressed due to the college-level strategy deployed by the Chuas. Labis is their stronghold and the Tenang state seat a BN fortress. If MCA is unable to defend the seat or maintain the 2,500-odd majority it helped Umno to win in 2008, the writing will be on the wall for the Chuas.

“They have painted themselves into a corner. They thought they were smart but it looks as though it is the opposite. Now if the BN loses and cannot maintain the majority, MCA will get the blame. Chua has acted too rashly because he was too fearful of his sex scandal. He went overboard trying to cover up by ridiculing a Muslim woman. But this only reflects on the calibre the MCA president,” PKR vice president Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle.

Indeed, some supporters of Umno and MCA found nothing wrong in picking on Normala. Mentri Besar Ghani Othman was even more extreme when he warned that PAS would “chop off “ their hands if it came to power, referring to the hudud laws that PAS is unashamed to state it aspires to implement for Muslims.

"Would Chua Soi Lek dare to tick off Umno for the RM888bil illicit capital outflows?" asked DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang, referring to whether the MCA president would dare to challenge Muhyiddin for an explanation on Umno's latest financial scandal.

Which is worse in a public figure - wearing gloves or adultlery

Some MCA supporters even said Normala was fair game as Soi Lek also came under attack for his sex video scandal. Yet to others, the difference was vast. Pundits also pointed to Chua's unpopularity after he won the MCA presidency by promoting his son Tee Yong to a deputy minister's post ahead of other more experienced candidates. Accusations of nepotism had rung out loud and clear throughout all levels of the party.

“There is a very big difference. Chua may have resigned his posts after the scandal but you cannot compare him with Normala. Normala is acting out of religious beliefs – whether you agree it is appropriate or overzealous in the context of modern society is a different issue," Taiping MP Nga Kor Ming told Malaysia Chronicle.

"Adultlery which is what Chua committed is condemned and even in Christianty is listed as a sin. How can he held up as a model leader that people should vote for – this is twisted thinking, especially after he showed his true colors by making his son deputy minister and purging the party of those loyal to his predecessor Ong Tee Keat.”

The reckless attacks from the Chuas, Gerakan’s Tan and Ghani have raged on for several days now. On Monday, Muhyiddin finally called a special press conference amid growing pressure on the Najib administration to haul up his leaders for inciting hatred and fear for a religion.

"There is no need to go on about this. I don't want to prolong this matter. It is up to the voters to judge because she might have her own reasons. We in BN don't want to exploit the candidate's personal matters. That is her choice but we leave it to the voters to be the judge," Malaysiakini reported Muhyiddin as saying. - Malaysia Chronicle