KUALA LUMPUR: The government’s move in not tabling the amendment to the Shariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act, or RUU355, shows that the MCA is able to uphold the Barisan Nasional spirit of “decision by consensus.”
“MCA has repeatedly and unwaveringly stated that we will continue to uphold the spirit of consensus-building under Barisan Nasional (BN),” said the party’s Religious Harmony Bureau Chairman, Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker.
He said the MCA had consistently and continuously argued, legally and rationally, on the implications and impact of the bill, based on facts and laws, despite the sensitivity and potentially-explosive subject of religion.
Ti said, unlike the DAP, which had lobbied popular votes for Pas in the previous few elections but now attempts to wash their hands of their responsibility of empowering and promoting the Islamic party, the MCA did not run away from its responsibility of convincing BN components that the RUU355 should be rejected as it erred in law, Constitutional safeguards and in politics.
The MCA Central Committee member said, now that the government is not tabling the amendment, the DAP should be called on to stand their ground by quitting the Selangor state government, or expelling Pas.
“If the DAP is a party of dignity, they must emulate the late Karpal Singh’s consistency, or listen to Lim Kit Siang, who had asked the MCA and other BN component party leaders to quit the BN government should we fail to stop Umno.
“So why is the DAP not quitting the Pakatan Government in Selangor?,” Ti questioned.
He said it is time for the DAP to walk their talk and not just talk the talk – with a tongue that is forked.
BN chairman and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had announced that the government will not be tabling the RUU355 bill, saying it will remain a Private Member's Bill.
The decision came following a consensus reached over the matter at the BN Supreme Meeting last night.