PETALING JAYA — PAS’ move to delay the tabling of the private member’s bill for the implementation of hudud in Kelantan is merely part of its tactics and a ‘political ploy’, said MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

Liow also said MCA would not let up in its campaign against the move and implementation of hudud.

“We will further our efforts to ensure the Federal Constitution be defended,” he said yesterday.

“This (move by PAS) is against the constitution and we will continue to gather support among the rakyat besides educating them to make them aware of what PAS is doing is not helping the country.”

Liow also surmised the Islamist party’s recent move was a by-election tactic to help its Pakatan Rakyat partner, DAP.

“It is an old trick. Before the general election, they talked about a welfare state but now after the GE, they want to implement hudud,” he said.

“It is just another political ploy. DAP should stop PAS, which is always using the same tricks.”

Asked whether the announcement by PAS would cause MCA to consider rejoining the Bukit Gelugor parliamentary by-election, he said MCA decided to stay out of the race.

He said MCA wanted to further strengthen the party since it was “injured” in the last general election.

“We are undergoing a transformation and will come back stronger,” he said.

“It is not that we are afraid of losing. We will continue serving the people of Bukit Gelugor.”

Party secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan announced on Saturday the party would not contest in Bukit Gelugor saying this was because it wanted to concentrate on the “constitutional crisis” triggered by PAS over hudud.

Ramkarpal Singh Deo has since been named DAP candidate for the by-election that was triggered by the death of his father Karpal Singh in a car accident last month.

Nominations are today while voters will head to the polls on May 25.

In George Town, Parti Cinta Malaysia vice-president Datuk Huan Cheng Guan said the announcement by PAS was an “opera show” scripted by the party and DAP for the Bukit Gelugor and Teluk Intan by-elections.

“Can DAP assure people that PAS will nor resurrect the tabling of the private bill in the future?,” asked Huan.

PAS’ delay in tabling hudud bill is a ‘political ploy’, says Liow