MCA president Liow Tiong Lai has denied that he and other BN component party leaders had pressured Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to stop the hudud bill from being tabled in Parliament.

According to China Press , he said the component parties wanted to convey the "correct message" to Najib that hudud would have an adverse impact on the nation’s economy, foreign investment and development.

The 12 BN leaders met with the prime minister, who is also the coalition’s chairperson, in Parliament last week on the same day the Kelantan state assembly passed the hudud bill.

The bill was passed with the support of 12 Umno assemblypersons.

Meanwhile, Liow ( right ) said a joint statement would be released on the contentious issue, which has put parties like MCA and Gerakan as well as those in the opposition in a difficult spot.

"We are waiting for Najib to announce, we would release a joint statement. I want to tell the people that implementation of hudud is against the constitution," he added.