MCA remains firmly opposed to Hadi's bill: Liow

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai (pix) has said MCA remained opposed to Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang's proposed amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965, amidst conflicting report on the party's stand.
In a statement today, the MCA president said while it opposed the proposed changes brought by the PAS president in his private members bill, MCA was not against any “Islamic-type enactment”.
“I think it is proper and correct that I address what appears to be contrasting reports on MCA's stand with regards the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 amendment or commonly referred to as Hadi's Bill.
“MCA remains firmly opposed to any Bill which it believes to run counter of the spirit and letter of our Federal Constitution. As Hadi's Bill now stands, we regard it to be in such a position,” he said.
Reiterating the party’s position, Liow said MCA will not entertain any more speculations on the matter.
“Our opposition has nothing to do with the fact that it is deemed an ‘Islamic’ Bill. We deny categorically that we oppose Islamic-type enactments. It has never been in our agenda.
“The Syariah Courts Act 355 has been in existence for 51 years and MCA has never once touched on this enactment in any form or manner,” he said.
On Thursday, Liow said Hadi’s current proposed amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 did not conform with the Federal Constitution.
He had reportedly said MCA will not vote for Hadi’s proposed amendments, unless a similar Bill is moved by the government.
“If the government moves a similar bill, they will do it based on the spirit of the Federal Constitution, and so I will vote for it.
“But as to the Private Member’s Bill, MCA has stated its stance clearly, which is we will vote against it,” he had told the press at the Parliament lobby.
Hadi’s motion was first tabled in the Dewan Rakyat on May 26, seeking to empower the Syariah courts to mete out higher punishments.
However, due to strong opposition from both sides of the divide, Hadi had requested to defer his motion.
Last Thursday, he had read out an amendment to his initial motion, stating his proposal to increase the punishments to 30 years jail term from three years, RM100,000 fine from RM5,000, and 100 strokes from only six.