KUALA LUMPUR, March 23 — Controversial lecturer Dr Ridhuan Tee Abdullah has challenged Barisan Nasional (BN) components MCA and Gerakan to follow through on their threats to quit the ruling coalition over the hudud issue.

In his column in Malay news portal Sinar Online, Tee also mocked the two parties as only surviving on the “charity” of the Malay voters and of no benefit to Umno.

“Earlier on they have threatened to exit parties, if there are Malay parties that supports hudud. Please do so if you dare,” wrote the Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin lecturer.

“As it is, Gerakan and MCA does not profit Umno. Instead Umno had to sacrifice Malay majority seats to give way to them. Who profited, who lost?”

Tee claimed that MCA and Gerakan were rewarded with ministerial posts due to the collaboration in BN despite being unworthy, but the Malays have ended up suffering because of this purported sacrifice.

In comparison, Tee praised Kelantan Opposition Leader Datuk Md Alwi Che Ahmad from Umno as a “statesman”, for declaring his support for hudud while debating the controversial Islamic penal code in the state assembly last week.

“This is a real statesman. Umno should have more of these people, only then can they win many seats. Putting Islam above all others. Brave because you’re right,” Tee claimed.

“Evaluating that what is right is right, even when it comes from your opponent. Know who are your enemies and who the allies.”

Last week, the Kelantan State Legislative Assembly passed amendments to the Shariah Criminal Code (II) 1993 Enactment to pave way for the controversial implementation of hudud laws in the state.

Gerakan has since initiated legal action against the move, while Kelantan MCA is said to be mulling similar options.