Hokkien groups petition to protest PAS’ hudud

Making a statement: Liow (second from left) receiving a memorandum from Khoo at his office in Putrajaya.

PUTRAJAYA: The Federation of Hokkien Associations of Malaysia is confident of collecting one million signatures from Malaysians who oppose PAS’ attempts to impose its version of hudud in the country.

Its president Tan Sri Khoo Chai Kaa said the federation’s campaign against PAS’ hudud which was launched in June, has collected 400,000 signatures so far.

“Our member associations all over the country have been working hard to garner support for the campaign. Our target is to get one million signatures from individuals,” he said.

He added that they were also targeting another 1,000 signatures from NGOs and about a hundred from other federations.

“The response on the ground has been very good, and it’s not just from the Chinese, but other non-Muslim races as well.

“We believe we can reach our target before our deadline (Sept 20),” he said.

Khoo said after Sept 20, the signatures would be compiled and handed to all 222 Members of Parliament in the country.

“We want to do this before the start of the Parliament meeting in October,” said Khoo at a press conference after a meeting with Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai at the ministry here.

Last May, PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang moved a private member’s bill to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Juris­diction) Act 1965, which could pave the way towards the implementation of hudud in Kelantan.

The motion was supported, but voting on the bill has been deferred to the October meeting.

Liow, who is the MCA president, said the party has always been firm in opposing any move to implement PAS’ hudud law.

“We have always been very clear about our stance. We reject PAS’ hudud law and Abdul Hadi’s private member’s bill.

“MCA defends the spirit of the Federal Constitution and we want to ensure that inclusivity and harmony in this country will be protected.

“I am happy to see that there is a lot of support for this campaign,” said Liow.

Besides Khoo, 13 representatives from other federations also attended yesterday’s meeting with Liow.