MCA prepared to work with DAP to oppose hudud law

PETALING JAYA: MCA is open to working with the DAP to oppose PAS's plan to implement hudud law in Kelantan, party president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai (pix) said today.
He said PKR should also work with DAP in stopping PAS from implementing the Islamic penal system as they were both partners in Pakatan Rakyat who had helped the Islamist party rise to power.
"I think we (MCA and DAP) have a cordial relationship, but DAP has been assuaging the fears of the Chinese community regarding PAS's ambition to turn Malaysia into an Islamic state," Liow said after launching the Dharma Walk 2014 at Taman Mayang here.
Liow said MCA will not support Umno on the hudud issue if it backs PAS on the matter and will do everything in its power to stop the Islamic penal code from being implemented.
On the question of possible cooperation with DAP on the matter, he said the DAP must, however, first apologise to the people for downplaying PAS's hudud ambition when helping the latter rise in political stature.
"They (DAP) have lied by telling the people that PAS will not pursue an Islamic state; DAP must apologise to the people and explain itself," Liow said.
Liow is consulting the party's lawyers to explore legal options to block PAS from tabling the private member's bill in Parliament.
"MCA will not only speak out against hudud, but will oppose it from all aspects including taking legal action," he said.
Meanwhile, in George Town, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng asked if MCA has not pushed the anti-hudud agenda because it is keen on government posts at the federal level.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom had on Friday pointed out a central technical committee will be set up soon to study the implementation of hudud in Kelantan.
He said the committee would comprise federal government, Kelantan state government and PAS representatives to ensure smooth implementation of the system.
Lim, who is also Penang chief minister, said MCA, Gerakan , SUPP and pro-BN Chinese organisations should hold a dialogue with the fedaral government on the hudud issue.