MCA Youth goes to PAS HQ to protest

In an unprecedented move, Federal Territory MCA Youth stepped into the PAS headquarters in Kuala Lumpur to submit a memorandum protesting a plan to bring in hudud law.

The Islamic party had on Dec 20 claimed that the opposition Pakatan Rakyat coalition would implement hudud law if it forms the federal government. This has since been attacked even by political ally DAP.

Nine MCA representatives led by FT Youth head Chiew Lian Keng handed the one-page memorandum to PAS Youth secretary Ahmad Sabki Yusuf, who received it on behalf of president Abdul Hadi Awang.

They first shook hands with Ahmad Sabki, explaining their presence and the contents of the memorandum.

“We are not satisfied with a statement made by PAS vice president Husam Musa on the implementation of hudud laws in a multi-racial and multi-religious society. It is unacceptable," said Chiew, reading from the memorandum.

“FT MCA youth will thwart any move or effort that could threaten the federal constitution.”

Without commenting on this, Ahmad Sabki said he would forward the message to the party president.

In a move that temporarily stopped traffic, the MCA leaders then crossed the busy Jalan Raja Laut to unfold two banners in Malay and Chinese: Pemuda MCA membantah hukum hudud (MCA Youth against hudud laws).

The peaceful demonstration lasted less than five minutes under the watchful eyes of a handful police officers and a horde of reporters.

‘Not by-election gimmick’

Speaking to the press afterwards, Chiew dismissed the claim that the move was to gain publicity ahead of the Jan 17 Kuala Terengganu by-election .

“That has nothing to do with this. It is just a coincidence that the statement by PAS came around the election period,” he said.

Chiew countered that it was PAS that will use the hudud issue for by-election purposes.

Asked why the group had submitted a memorandum instead of issuing a statement, he replied, “People always make statements, so this time we thought we would do something different and send in a memorandum.”

Apart from MCA, Barisan Nasional parties Gerakan and MIC have also condemned Husam's statement.

However, Pakatan's dominant party PKR has maintained a studious silence on the issue.

VIDEO | 6 mins