KUALA LUMPUR, May 8 — MCA has come under fire today for questioning hudud, with the Barisan Nasional (BN) component party told to shut up instead of “howling” like the DAP and betraying Umno over the controversial Islamic penal law.
In an anonymous opinion piece published by the BN Backbenchers’ Club portal, MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong was also called “rude” for suggesting yesterday that the party will consider its membership in the ruling coalition should Umno continue to support hudud.
“MCA should not spew nonsense or act a hero as if trying to show the Chinese community that it fights for them,” the editorial said.
“The public knows, in this matter DAP is more successful compared to MCA.”
According to the portal, Wee had made a foolish remark since Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is now considering the return of MCA MPs to the Cabinet and Wee himself might be appointed a minister.
MCA’s motive in mimicking DAP’s stance on hudud was also questioned, as the portal suggested that MCA is trying to win back Chinese voters who have lost their trust in the BN party.
Instead, MCA was told to respect the democratic process, by hearing out the two bills proposed by PAS to implement hudud in Kelantan first.
MCA should at least wait for the decision of the technical committee on hudud, or listen to explanations on hudud by Umno before rejecting it publicly, it said.
“If MCA then still insists on reviewing its position in BN or has plans to leave BN, Umno surely will not stop that,” said the article.
“Umno is a Malay party based on Islam and will not once oppose laws set by Islam.”
There are seven MCA MPs who are also members of BNBBC besides Wee, including MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan.
In a forum on hudud yesterday, Wee said that MCA might have to review its future in BN should Umno support PAS’ implementation of hudud in Kelantan.
This comes as PAS is now looking for parliamentary approval to implement hudud in Kelantan by planning to put forward two private members’ bills in Parliament.
Since PAS made public its intention to propose the bills, several Umno MPs have come out saying that they have never opposed hudud, including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Umno’s Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, who is the minister in charge of religious affairs, had previously said that Putrajaya is ready to give the green light to any state wishing to implement hudud.
Umno’s Ketereh MP, Tan Sri Annuar Musa, had last month stated that he would be lobbying his fellow party members to ensure the implementation of hudud in his state.
Former MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said last month PAS could win Parliament’s nod for its hudud bills as some Umno MPs “will not be able to object” to them due to religious obligations.
PAS leaders have also conceded that they were unlikely to receive any support from its Pakatan Rakyat allies, and will instead turn to political foe Umno for support.
