Kedah executive councillor Dr Leong Yong Kong has announced his resignation from MCA in protest over the Hudud Bill issue and accused Umno of failing to safeguard the Federal Constitution.

He said MCA also failed to defend the constitution and the rights of the people.

“MCA no longer has the respect of Umno as a member of BN... So I will leave MCA until there is new development on this issue,” he added in a video uploaded by Oriental Daily.

However, Leong said he would not relinquish his government position.

“I will not resign (from the exco position) because I am not in the wrong. It is Umno and BN who are wrong for failing to defend the Federal Constitution,” he added.

Leong said he would let MCA president Liow Tiong Lai and Kedah Menteri Besar Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah to decide on his exco post and to find a replacement.

The Gurun state assemblyperson chairs the environment, Chinese community affairs, health and unity committee.

Leong is the first MCA leader to be appointed to a government post in March 2014 after the party passed a resolution to accept posts at all government levels at an extraordinary general meeting a month earlier.

In 2011, the MCA annual general meeting decided to decline all government posts if the party performed badly in the 13th general election.

Meanwhile, Liow has also lambasted Umno for working with PAS on the Hudud Bill issue and is rallying other BN parties to state a united objection as well.

Yesterday, the Dewan Rakyat, during its last sitting for the session, was slated to debate the controversial Private Member’s Bill tabled by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang to amend Act 355.

However, this was postponed after Hadi requested that more time be given to MPs to prepare.

The proposal to bring forward the motion was brought by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Azalina Othman Said and seconded by Deputy Work Minister Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin.

Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia had allowed the proposal to lift the motion, listed as '15' or the last item in the Parliament's order paper despite objection from DAP lawmakers.

Yesterday, PAS Youth chief Nik Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz admitted his party had received cooperation from Umno on this matter.