MCA's hardline stance against hudud law will not strain its relationship with BN component parties, said party president Dr Chua Soi Lek.

 

Speaking to reporters after the opening ceremony of the 59th MCA annual general meeting today, Chua said the party had always referred to PAS' interpretation of hudud law.

 

"No, no. We must be very clear that we are talking about PAS' hudud. We emphasised that it is a 'PAS hudud'. It is hudud ala PAS," he said.  

 

Under Chua's stewardship, MCA has reignited its campaign to oppose PAS ambition to establish an Islamic state and implement hudud law - a form of capital punishment which includes death by stoning and amputations.

 

MCA is also accusing DAP of convincing the Chinese community to accept PAS, paving way for its theocratic ideals.

 

Asked if MCA will advise Umno against supporting PAS' hudud law proposals, should Pakatan seize Putrajaya, Chua dismissed this as a hypothetical question.  

 

“We don’t need to reach to that stage... If all non-Muslims unite to reject PAS' hudud, we will not reach the stage of the constitutional amendment," he said.

Hudud law exists in Terengganu

The anti-hudud position was among the repeatedly discussed topics throughout the two-day AGM, with MCA Wanita chief Yu Chok Tow yesterday warning that Umno's MPs will be duty bound to support PAS' hudud proposal if Pakatan wins federal power.

Incidentally, no delegate urged the party to reject Terengganu's Syariah and Criminal Offence Enactment (Hudud and Qisas) which outlines crucifixion, amputations and stoning among other punishments.

The law was passed in July 12, 2002 when the state was ruled by PAS. MCA has one state assemblyperson in Terengganu in form of Toh Chin Yaw who represents Bandar.

In December last year, the Terengganu state legislative assembly was told by exco member Khazan Che Mat, who heads the state committee on religion and information, that the government was still considering when to implement the enactment.

Khazan added that the government might send judges for courses on implementing hudud law.

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