MCA president Liow Tiong Lai should have insisted at the cabinet meeting that an arrest order be issued against Sungai Besar Umno division chief Jamal Md Yunos, former MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek said today.
The cabinet meeting on Wednesday was the best timing for Liow to raise the issue, said the former health minister.
"Today is Friday, the cabinet meeting on Wednesday was the best timing. They should have insisted that Jamal be arrested because he already acted against Sedition Act."
In a statement issued after chairing an emergency meeting of the MCA central committee yesterday, Liow said the party would seek a meeting with the Najib Abdul Razak to urge the prime minister to put a stop to street rallies as the party it fears these would lead to violent confrontations.
Liow was also asked about the police intention to arrest Jamal ( photo ) for threatening to hold another rally at Jalan Petaling tomorrow, to which he replied: "We do not only want the police to take action against any party bent on holding illegal rallies and street demonstrations, but they should also be taken to court and sentenced accordingly."
Asked by Malaysiakini to comment on the position taken by Liow, Chua lambasted it as mere “political sandiwara”.
He added that Jamal last week threatened there would be a riot on Petaling Street and Liow could have asked the home minister during Wednesday’s cabinet meeting to take action.
'Politically correct, but timing is wrong'
Chua also said that it was “just a standard reply” of Liow in condemning the recent street rallies for threatening to tear apart the fabric of the nation.
"Liow's daily reply is just standard, it's known as a political statement. Politically, it is correct but the timing is wrong, because the Wednesday cabinet meeting was the best avenue to express this.
"He always says, ‘we are now in the cabinet’. But he must make use of the opportunity, not only listen to what others say (in the cabinet), and go home after that."
Yesterday, when was asked about Chua’s comment on Wednesday that Liow had failed to transform MCA, Liow said he preferred to work on strengthening the party rather than to respond to Chua's criticism.
Chua said this showed that what he said was a fact, because Liow has nothing to rebut.
"He didn't respond maybe because he also agrees with me," Chua said, and reiterated that MCA has not transformed under Liow's leadership.
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