Do not support Bill, MPs told

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai has appealed to all MPs to vote against the Private Member’s Bill raised by PAS.

“We want support from both the political divide to come together to stop this Bill, because it is in conflict with the spirit of our Federal Constitution,” he told reporters after launching Kojadi’s annual general meeting yesterday.

Although Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the Bill had nothing to do with hudud, Liow pointed out that if it were to be passed, the scope was “wide enough” to give PAS in Kelantan the power to carry out hudud punishment.

The Kelantan state could then implement any punishment it deemed appropriate, short of the death penalty, which included stoning and the chopping off of limbs, he said.

The amendment will also give the Syariah court in Kelantan the same powers as the civil court system.

“Malaysia would then have two parallel legal systems. This is in conflict with our Constitution – the supreme law that governs our country.

“According to Article 8, all Malaysians should be subjected to one legal system and are equal in the eyes of the law,” Liow said.

Asked if MCA’s stance went against that of Umno, which supported the Bill tabled by PAS, Liow replied saying the alliance should “fall back upon the Barisan Nasional spirit of consensus”.

“Since forming the Government during independence, we have used the spirit of BN, which is consensus.

“In whatever amendments (to existing Acts), we need to ensure we have the consensus from all the parties in the alliance.

“This is what I want to stress on,” he said.

Liow also announced that the RM50mil small-and-medium enterprise fund given by the Government last year had to be fully loaned out by Kojadi.

“I am happy to announce that the there is 0% non-performing loans,” he said, referring to all of the borrowers who had made their repayments on time.

Another RM50mil, which was promised by Najib during MCA’s general assembly last year, was expected to arrive next week, Liow said.

Kojadi was established in 1981 as MCA’s investment and education arm. Since then, it has granted RM224mil worth of education loans to over 12,000 deserving scholars.

Liow held another press conference in the afternoon after presiding over a special briefing for party members over the Bill.

Asked if MCA would leave Barisan if Umno continued to support the Bill tabled by PAS, Liow said “no”.

“MCA has done no wrong in Barisan.

“We are protecting the spirit of the Constitution and the spirit of BN. There is no reason for MCA to leave Barisan,” he said.

Liow added that the party would remain in the coalition to continue on the spirit of consensus.

“The spirit of consensus can ensure the stability and success of our country. This is most important,” he said.