Subra also to quit cabinet if hudud implemented

MIC president S Subramaniam has joined the chorus of BN leaders who said they would quit the cabinet if hudud law is implemented.

"If after all our efforts hudud is still implemented, then I will relinquish my post in the government," Subramaniam said at the MIC extraordinary general meeting in Subang Jaya today.

His announcement was met by rousing applause from the delegates.

MIC president S Subramaniam has joined the chorus of BN leaders who said they would quit the cabinet if hudud law is implemented.

"If after all our efforts hudud is still implemented, then I will relinquish my post in the government," Subramaniam said at the MIC extraordinary general meeting in Subang Jaya today.

His announcement was met by rousing applause from the delegates.

Subramaniam joined MCA and Gerakan leaders Liow Tiong Lai, Wee Ka Siong and Mah Siew Keong, who have also threatened to quit if hudud is implemented.

However Deputy Youth and Sports Minister M Saravanan was evasive when asked if he too would quit.

"I don't want to jump the gun. The president will say what he wants to say," Saravanan told reporters after the EGM.

The vows to quit the government came after PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang on Thursday tabled and then deferred a private member's bill to amend the syariah court system to allow for heavier punishments.

Two criminal law systems

Subramaniam said this bill would pave the way for the implementation of hudud in Kelantan, which might then spread to other states.

This would then create two criminal law systems, which he said, was in contravention of the Federal Constitution.

The health minister said MIC also wanted further explanation from Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak regarding the bill, which the latter said was not linked to hudud.

"I hope the PM's remarks that we will only decide on hudud after getting consensus will be given priority," he added.

Meanwhile Subramaniam said today's EGM had also agreed that party polls will be postponed till after the 14th general elections.

Other matters discussed at the meet included unilateral conversions, business opportunities for Indians, and racial polarisation in schools.

Earlier during the EGM, some 50 supporters of former MIC president G Palanivel created a ruckus outside the hall, trading insults and even throwing water bottles back and forth with Subramaniam's supporters.

The two camps were kept apart by Light Strike Force riot police, and the commotion ended without incident within half an hour. - Mkini