In handshake issue, PAS revives Soi Lek’s sex scandal past
By Clara Chooi, The Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 25 — PAS dredged up Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek’s 2007 sex DVD scandal today to attack the MCA president in the Tenang “handshake” issue, accusing him of failing to distinguish between moral and immoral acts.
PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali also mocked Dr Chua for “starring” in the controversial sex DVD in 2007, pointing out that to most, such an act was considered immoral.
“But to him (Dr Chua) and his party MCA, it is okay. That is why he won the party president’s post,” Mustafa said in a statement today.
Dr Chua’s political career came to an abrupt end in 2007 when video footages of him having sex with a woman in a hotel room circulated in public.
After admitting to being the man in the DVD, Dr Chua quit all ministerial and political posts but later made a comeback and in last year’s party polls was elected MCA president.
Mustafa said Dr Chua had likely found it “peculiar” that Muslim women often abstained from shaking hands with men as despite his years of interaction with Umno leaders, he had never before experienced such a practice first-hand.
“This, to me, is Umno’s failure for not explaining this issue to their non-Muslim leaders. I do not think that Wanita Umno members do not know of these rules,” he said.
Mustafa added that Umno leaders should teach their non-Muslim comrades how to respect the rights and practices of those practising Islam.
“We do not discriminate against the non-Muslims like how the Chinese eat pork simply because it is their right. There are many other examples that can be used,” he said.
Dr Chua had reportedly criticised Normala for her refusal to shake hands with men, saying that her practice was not acceptable to the Chinese community.
Many pious Muslims do not shake hands with non-mahram (marriageable kin), believing that the practice is prohibited in Islam.
PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail also wears gloves when shaking hands with men.
