MCA: Hadi's bill too sensitive for Umno to oppose

The fast-tracking of PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang's controversial Private Member's Bill led to speculation of collusion with Umno though the government claimed it was nothing more than an exhibition of its commitment to parliamentary reforms.

Since then, MCA president Liow Tiong Lai has been leading the charge, rallying other BN component parties and threatening to resign his post as transport minister if the bill is passed.

Though the resignation threat drew flak from certain Umno leaders, Wanita MCA chief Heng Seai Kie believes that Umno's hands are tied on this issue due to religious considerations.

Due to this scenario, she said, BN parties such as MCA, Gerakan and MIC had to step up to the plate.

"As it is too sensitive for Umno to oppose, it is thus left to BN component parties to do the check and balance, to safeguard the spirit of moderation of our beloved country," she said in a press statement today.

Heng said she believes there are Malays who oppose the PAS hudud enactments and even expanding the sentencing powers of the Syariah Courts as desired by PAS in its proposal to revise the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965, but are afraid to voice out in the open.

The MCA leader also appealed to all Malaysians, political parties and NGO leaders to protect the Federal Constitution.

"We are a secular country with Islam as the official religion.

"Being infused with Islamic values is fine as they have universal good practices. But we absolutely cannot have two judicial systems -  it is unjust and messy," she added.

Heng said the amendments proposed by Hadi would lead to an Islamic criminal justice system.

Last Thursday, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Azalina Othman Said raised eyebrows when she moved a motion to give Hadi's bill precedence over government matters.

However, the PAS president later asked that it be postponed to the next sitting, citing time constraints. -Mkini