MCA says no to PAS joining BN

(Malay Mail Online) – MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said today that his party was against PAS joining Barisan Nasional (BN) after Umno offered to tie with the Islamist opposition party.

News portal Malaysiakini reported Liow as telling reporters in Subang Jaya that the BN Chinese component party, however, would not interfere with Umno’s decision to ally with PAS.

“MCA would not question and interfere in Umno’s personal matter.

“But if they (Umno) want to bring PAS into BN. It must be discussed in BN (supreme) council. We will definitely go against it. We will voice our thoughts and ideas. (We won’t accept PAS) unless it abandons hudud,” he was quoted saying.

Former MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek warned MCA and another non-Muslim BN component party, Gerakan, yesterday that they would face serious tests should Umno cooperate with PAS in the next general election.

Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak extended a hand of friendship to PAS at the recent Umno general assembly.

PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang responded in a press statement by saying that the Islamist party was committed to its alliance with PKR, but that it was open at the same time to teaming up with any political party for the sake of unity based on Islamic principles.