Liow: Consensus reached among party members at BN meet
(The Star) – MCA will make sure PAS’ Private Member’s Bill on hudud is not debated in Parliament, its president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said.
He said a consensus was reached among party members when the matter was brought up at a Barisan Nasional meeting recently.
“I raised this issue and it was very clear that Barisan has a consensus that Government Bills supersede Private Member’s Bills.
“We will make sure this Bill is not debated,” he told reporters after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between MCA School of Political Studies and Huaqiao University yesterday.
The Bill, tabled by PAS president Datuk Seri Hadi Awang on May 26, has been placed fourth on the Order Paper for this Parliament sitting, which starts today. PAS is seeking to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965.
Liow reiterated that MCA was against the Bill because it goes against the Federal Constitution.
He blamed DAP for PAS’ audacity in tabling the Bill.
“They have to be held responsible. They can’t just keep saying that they have severed ties with PAS.
“They keep on pointing fingers at others but have they taken the effort to find a solution?” he asked.
He added that MCA does not support rallies, violent confrontations and bullies.
With the signing of the MoU, MCA School of Political Studies will be working with Huaqiao University on research into the Chinese community in Malaysia.
Also, MCA presented 149 books that the party had published, to the university for its archives.
MCA School of Political Studies principal Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun said the party had neglected its archiving duties and had become passive towards helping researchers.
She hoped the partnership with Huaqiao and the sharing of databases will open up more opportunities for research into the Chinese community here.
Also present at the signing ceremony was Huaqiao University president Prof Jia Yimin and Chinese ambassador to Malaysia Dr Huang Huikang.
