MCA has described Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng as “gutless" and "spineless" over his "cowardice" for allegedly hiding behind his state executive council’s statement which allowed the preaching of a religious preacher to divide Muslims and non-Muslims.

According to MCA religious harmony bureau chairperson Ti Lian Ker, the preaching of Shahul Hamid Seeni Muhammad touched on issues of hairdressing, schooling and greetings between the two communities.

“Lim is trying to hide behind Penang exco on Islamic Affairs Abdul Malik Kassim who said Shahul Hamid had the right to his Talibanese teachings,” said Ti in a statement.

“What is DAP's stand on Talibanese speeches now?” asked Ti.

The MCA leader was responding to a video clip of the religious preacher Shahul Hamid Seeni Muhammad, warning Muslim women against frequenting non-Muslim hair salons which recently went viral.

In the 2015 video clip, Shahul Hamid said it was wrong for Muslim men to frequent female hair saloons, adding that Muslim women must also not let non-Muslim female hairdressers touch their hair.

Shahul Hamid was also caught saying on other videos in 2015 that it was wrong for Muslims to wish others “happy birthday”.

He also preached that it is haram for Muslim parents to send their children to Chinese vernacular schools.

Penang’s 'friendly approach'

Other than Abdul Malik, Lim’s special information officer Wan Ji Wan Hussin had responded to the criticisms by saying Penang was seeking “a friendly approach” to Shahul Hamid’s controversial preaching.

“This is in contravention to the call by the Rulers In Council that these Talibanese preachings of hatred and divisiveness in Malaysia must stop,” said Ti, who is also MCA publicity spokesperson.

“DAP and its senior leader Lim Kit Siang have in the past decades been quick at highlighting the slightest provocation on race and religion and calling on MCA to take a confrontational stand,” he added.

“DAP will pit the Chinese community against all Muslim or Malay centric speeches by blaming it on Umno and blaming or pitting MCA against the Malays and Muslims,” Ti said.

“There were never any words of tolerance or (friendliness) said by DAP to acknowledge MCA's predicament of having to respect the reality that this is a multiracial country largely dominated by Malays and Muslims,” added Ti.

'DAP’s double talk'

Ti expressed happiness that Lim and his party have embraced MCA's "friendly" approach.

However, these words should come from DAP or Lim himself and not by his subordinate, saying it reflects “double talk and lack of seriousness” to address these issues on the CM’s part, Ti said.

He also asked if DAP is now subscribing to and agreeing with Wan Ji's friendly approach to "Talibanese speeches" and Abdul Malik’s recognition of Shahul's right to Talibanese preaching.

“The MCA does not accept DAP and Lim’s double talk or cowardice of hiding behind two non-DAP members or leaders.

“DAP has always insisted that the MCA president make his stand known on all sensitive issues despite MCA making several statements,” Ti noted.

“It is time that Lim or Kit Siang make their decisions to accept and respect Talibanese speeches by Sharul as his right and freedom to the world.

“Stop hiding like a coward. Stop the double talk through your two subordinates,” Ti said.