ROMPIN Malaysia is facing the threat of Islamic State (IS) internationally, while PAS is trying to build an Islamic state domestically through hudud implementation.

This is the scenario faced by the country and Chinese voters in Rompin can do something to stem the tide, MCA president Liow Tiong Lai said while stumping for the BN candidate in the Rompin by-election.

Liow said this last night in an attempt to convince the Chinese voters not to vote for PAS, which was pushing for the parliamentary amendment to enable the implementation of hudud.

"On the one hand, we are facing the wave of Islamic State globally, while domestically we are facing PAS, which is building an Islamic theocratic state in this country," he told the crowd in Tanjung Gemok.

He said that on the other side of the world, IS is trying to establish Islamic rule worldwide, and resorting to means such as beheading and setting journalists on fire.

"This is an extremely dangerous moment.

"At this juncture, Chinese voters in Rompin, we (have to) come out to oppose Islamic amputation law (hudud) on May 5, to tell PAS firmly that we cannot support you," he said.

'Where will Malaysia's multiculturalism be?'

Earlier in his speech, Liow explained the growth of Islamic conservatism in Malaysian society.

"Do you know what is an Islamic theocratic state? Islamic theocratic state will bring Malaysia to the same level as Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan.

"These countries govern with amputation law (hudud), with Quran, with ulamas as the highest decision-making body.

"Without the (permission of) the ulama council, parliament and state assembly's bills cannot be passed.

"If our country becomes like this, where will Malaysia's multiculturalism be?" he said at the ceramah.

There were about 150 in the audience, making up about 10 percent of the Chinese community who are eligible to cast their votes in the by-election.

Citing Iran as an example, Liow, who is also the transport minister, pointed out that the country was once a secular state like Malaysia.

However, after going through the Islamic revolution, Iran had become conservative, sending a wave of "Islamic fundamentalism" to the world, including Malaysia.

"By that time, we in Malaysia were also affected. In the early 80s, Anwar Ibrahim was the president of Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (ABIM).

"He led ABIM nationwide to stage the 'wear the tudung (headscarf)' campaign," he said.

Liow recalled that when he was in school during the 70s and the early 80s, Malay students rarely wore the tudung .

"Since the mid-80s, schools (students), government agencies (officers), Malay women started wearing tudung .

"Till now, we can hardly say Malay women do not wear tudung , " he added.