MAY12 — I urge all Malaysian Chinese and the non-Muslim community to continue to stand against the implementation of PAS hudud law in order to defend our rights to religious freedom.

The sole reason for PAS to announce that they will not be tabling their Private Members’ Bill for hudud law in Kelantan when Parliament convenes this June was only so that they can continue fooling the non-Muslim community and as such, maintain their support base in the two upcoming by-elections.

Ever since PAS announced their intention to implement hudud law, I believed that the non-Muslims, especially the Chinese community, have unanimously expressed their stand against it through the respective Chinese associations and guilds, political parties, and other NGOs.

In light of the recent announcement by PAS, I urge the public to continue to be wary of them, as they had never said that they have given up their intentions. PAS had only announced that they intend to postpone the tabling of the Private Members’ Bill in order, and that their technical committee on hudud implementation will continue to make detailed studies and recommendations.

PAS is only playing a political strategy in postponing their intentions, as they are afraid that their religious standing may drive away the non-Muslim votes from Pakatan, thus affecting DAP’s chances in the coming Bukit Gelugor and Teluk Intan by-elections.

Also, PAS is using this postponement to seek ways to get the Muslim MPs in Parliament to support their bill, thus allowing them to attain their ultimate goal of establishing an Islamic theocratic state.

Therefore, it is imperative for the non-Muslim community to continue to stand firm against hudud law to defend their rights and interest, regardless of who tables it.

MCA must continue its good work on this issue, and be ready to utilise the non-Muslim associations and societies to warn the public on the consequences should PAS succeed in their intentions to implement hudud law in Kelantan.

From the start, when PAS announced their intention to table the Private Members’ Bill, MCA had already sought a dialogue with the Chinese associations and guilds to seek their position on the matter, and they had unanimously agreed to reject PAS hudud law.

As such, MCA had immediately carried out our programmes, including embarking on a nationwide tour and having signature campaigns asking the non-Muslims to state their opposition towards PAS hudud law. We had even formed a special taskforce to stop PAS from tabling the bill in Parliament.

On the other hand, DAP leaders such as Lim Kit Siang should learn from the late DAP Chairman Karpal Singh on how to stop PAS from tabling their Bill, instead of merely spouting words.

*Jason Teoh is the MCA Public Services and Complaints Bureau Chairman.

** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malay Mail Online.