MCA: We oppose Hadi’s bill but we’re not anti-Islam


Ong Ka Chuan

Party secretary-general Ong Ka Chuan also denies MCA’s opposition to the amendments of the Shariah Court Act 1965 is a bid to score political points.

(FMT) – Declaring itself a moderate party, MCA says its opposition to the proposed amendments of the Shariah Court (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 has everything to do with preserving the rule of law and nothing whatsoever to do with scoring political points with the electorate as alleged by certain quarters.

In a statement, the MCA’s secretary-general Ong Ka Chuan said the federal constitution was paramount to the party, as it was the highest law in the land.

MCA, he explained, believed in the preservation of this system as the party owed it to not only the future generation, but also the past generation who fought so hard to acquire it.

“Perkasa should not see MCA’s stance against the intended amendment of Act 355 as anti-Malay or Islam. Historical records will show that MCA has always been a moderate party in its stance and this has not changed since,” he said in a statement, alluding to the Malay rights group.

Ong was responding to Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali, who said MCA’s objections towards the bill, known as Act 355, were nothing more than a ploy to prove to the Chinese community that it could champion their cause against the empowerment of shariah law.

Ibrahim also alleged that MCA did not respect the opinions of Muslims.

Ong however denied MCA was attempting to score political points, and argued that the party had a proven track record of advancing the needs of all Malaysians, and not just one race.

He said MCA had joined forces with Umno even before the nation’s independence.

The Tanjung Malim lawmaker said his party would continue to uphold “good sense, rational thinking and provide the check and balance in and out of the Barisan Nasional government”.

“In so doing, we may be politically incorrect or lose seats or popularity, but that will not deter us from continuing to uphold the principles of good governance, the secular intent and the spirit of the federal constitution.”



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