Press Digest - Act 355 death knell for BN?

PETALING JAYA: MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai (pix) says Barian Nasional (BN) faces disintegration should Umno unilaterally table something similar to or exactly the same as the motion on Act 355 proposed by PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang in Parliament.
Speaking to Sin Chew Daily in a report published today, Liow said MCA's stand is clear and firm; that it is opposed to any move to make the amendment to Act 355, or any proposal similar to it.
The motion on Act 355 refers to proposed amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1955.
"We (MCA MPs) will vote against it even though there are only seven of us in Parliament," said Liow, who is transport minister.
He said if Umno disregards the dissent of its coalition partners and presents the amendments to Act 355 to Parliament, it will be the culprit for undermining the BN spirit.
"Whichever party pushes and votes for this unconstitutional bill will be the culprit to split BN. When that happens, it is not MCA but Umno that has undermined the BN spirit."
"Can BN continue to exist without the BN spirit?" he asked.
Liow added the proposed amendments, which will see the present punishment cap raised to 30 years' jail, 100 strokes of the cane and RM100,000 fine, are against the Constitution and, if endorsed, will open a floodgate to allow other states apart from Kelantan to implement hudud.
"At present, the jurisdiction and powers of the syariah courts are below those of the civil courts, which means Kelantan still cannot implement hudud despite having passed the hudud bill.
"However, if Hadi's motion is passed, syariah courts' jurisdiction and powers may be on par or even greater than those of the civil courts, and states can implement hudud," he said, adding that this is what MCA is worried about.
He said having two legal systems will split the people, adding that one of the party's mission is to preserve national unity.
Pointing out that MCA will not compromise with anyone seeking to shake the foundation of the country, Liow urged Malaysians particularly the Chinese to stay united to stop the proposed amendments from being passed in Parliament.
Liow said MCA is not against Act 355, but is only opposing Hadi's motion.