Of the 11 countries that practice hudud, eight are regarded as among the most corrupt, unstable and unsafe, claims MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek.

NONE “DAP has succeeded in convincing non-Mulsims that PAS’ hudud will reduce crime and corruption in the country. This is another big lie,” he said, without naming any of the countries.

Chua said this in his opening speech at the MCA annual general meeting (AGM) at Wisma MCA today, where he continued the Pakatan-bashing theme from yesterday’s youth and women’s wing AGMs.

There was no mention any new party policy throughout his 45-minute speech.

Instead, it focused on condemning the opposition and occasionally praising and thanking Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who was present in the hall.

Chua opened his broadside on hudud with a word-play on Pakatan Rakyat’s slogan Ubah (change), which he said stood for Untuk Bentuk Agama dan Hudud ala PAS (To form religion and hudud, PAS-style).

In English, he said, the slogan Change stood for ‘Choose Hudud At Next General Election’.

“I foresee that in the post-Ubah era, PAS will be the dominant party and we have to face the political reality that we may have to face PAS hudud,” he said, since DAP cannot be relied on to keep PAS’ ambitions in check.

He also urged PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim to state his stance on the issue, noting that he had been silent.

'Pakatan has no allocations for vernacular schools'

Other issues, he criticised include that Pakatan Rakyat did not have allocations for the development of vernacular schools in its budget, its plans to enact a RM1,100 minimum wage policy, and that Penang gave an appearance of reducing public debt by transferring it to the federal government via a water restructuring exercise.

“To the Pakatan Rakyat, it will be a case of grabbing power now and chaos later, with the rakyat as innocent victims.

“It is obvious that since 308 (March 8, 2008 general election), the opposition pursues the policy of hatred and they will politicise all issues. They also incite the people to hate the BN government and its leaders,” he said, as the packed hall cheered and booed in unison, as if on cue.

In his speech, Chua also rallied his party behind Najib, whom he pointed out had rescinded the power of detention without trial while some developed nations have failed, and brought a 5.1 percent economic growth this year despite economic turmoil, among other contributions.

“The majority of Malaysians will prefer someone they know, trust and have confidence to lead this national forward and he is Najib,” he said.

NONE At this point, many delegates including the VIPs on the stage cheered and held out small banners that read “I (Heart) PM”.

Hesitantly, with a smile on his face, Najib stood up and displayed his own banner, which read, “I (Heart) BN.”

“Sir,” continued Chua, “We are confident that you will be back as our prime minister and chairperson of BN after the general election.

“Once you beat the drum, we will march with you and together, we can defend Putrajaya,” he said near the end of his speech.

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